64 spitting or coughing incidents against Gardaí

 

There has been a total of 64 spitting or coughing incidents against Gardaí since guidelines and restrictions first came into place over Covid-19.

Aligned to that, Gardaí have invoked regulations 192 times out of the hundreds of thousands of interactions.

Pre-existing enforcement powers were meanwhile used in a further 1,432 incidents.

Members of An Garda Síochána had to use anti-spit guards a total of 47 times.

They occurred over a period of a month, from April 8, which was when the regulations came into effect, until May 9 2020 inclusive.

In supporting the COVID-19 public health guidelines, An Garda Síochána has adopted a graduated policing response based on its tradition of policing by consent. This has seen Garda members engage, educate, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce.

A spokesperson said the force continues to experience a high level of compliance with the public health guidelines at the many checkpoints and high visibility patrols.

Meanwhile, over 21,500 COVID-relating vetting applications processed – a turnaround time one day – with no vetting backlog.

Commissioner Drew Harris said: “We thank the public for the continued high level of compliance with the health guidelines. Working together, we can reduce the spread of COVID-19 to help protect our family, friends, neighbours and colleagues.

“At the outset of the COVID-19 situation, I said that An Garda Síochána will continue to operate as a community-based policing service with a focus on protecting the vulnerable. This approach will not change.

“Recent independent surveys show very high levels of public satisfaction with how An Garda Síochána is operating in this challenging situation. This is testament to the work being done by Garda personnel across the country in difficult circumstances.”