The Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has said he would be in favour of supporting a proposed new legislation that would prohibit the taking of photographs whilst Garda officers were carrying out their duties.
Mr Flanagan who was speaking on RTE’s Sean O’Rourke programme said that the GRA’s proposals would be looked at favourably, but he did state that he was also in favour of Garda officers wearing body cameras whilst in the line of duty.
The Justice Minister’s comments come after a photograph of a Garda officer who was allegedly involved in a public disturbance on North Frederick Street last week was uploaded on social media over the weekend.
Speaking to the programme Minister Flanagan said the threats made the Garda officer involved were completely unacceptable and condemned those responsible.
Mr Flanagan also said that anyone caught posting such material online should be held accountable as online engagement is not outside the law even though a lot of people believe it is.
However following his controversial comments Mr Flanagan did try to clarify his stance via a Twitter statement in which he said transparency is highly important, but I am concerned about the number of camera’s that are pointed in Garda officers faces as they try to carry-out their duties.
Mr Flanagan’s comments have been criticised by many who say such a ban would be unconstitutional and a total blanket ban on the taking of photographs would breach EU rights in regards to expression of freedom.