Newly released figures show that gardaí were injured in assaults while on duty at a rate of more than one per day throughout last year, reports Breaking News.
In total, 372 gardaí were hurt in assaults during 2024, with an additional 128 sustaining injuries during attacks in the first half of this year.
This ongoing pattern of violence has persisted even after new laws were introduced in November 2023, which raised the maximum prison term for assaulting or threatening gardaí from seven to 12 years, reports Breaking News.
According to data provided by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD Padraig O’Sullivan, 1,307 officers have been injured by assaults over the past three-and-a-half years.
Figures peaked at an all-time high of 470 in 2023, up from 337 the year before, before declining by 20 percent to 372 in 2024. Up to June 26 this year, 128 further assaults resulting in injury have been reported, reports Breaking News.
“We are all immensely grateful to our gardaí for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the important role that they play in our society,” said Mr O’Callaghan, reports Breaking News.
“For the most part, the relationship between gardaí and the public is one built on very significant trust. An Garda Síochána is a largely unarmed, and yet hugely effective, policing service. An assault on a member of An Garda Síochána, a prison officer, a member of the fire brigade, ambulance personnel, or a member of the Defence Forces is an offence under Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994,” reports Breaking News.
Mr O’Callaghan stated that increasing the maximum sentence for assaulting or threatening gardaí and other emergency workers sent “a very clear message” that these kinds of attacks are unacceptable.
Earlier published data shows that 2023 saw a 13 percent rise in workdays lost due to injuries sustained on duty, with gardaí missing a total of 85,396 days, reports Breaking News.
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