New six-month pilot scheme to provide tasers for select Irish officers

Certain frontline garda, Ireland's uniformed police officers, are set to receive tasers as part of a newly launched trial initiative. This six-month pilot will operate in Dublin, Waterford, and Kilkenny, involving approximately 128 officers who are already equipped with body-worn cameras.

The proposal was presented to the Irish Cabinet on Tuesday by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan. Traditionally, the majority of Garda in the Republic of Ireland are unarmed, with only the specialist armed unit having access to firearms. However, the tnaiste, Irelands deputy prime minister, emphasized that tasers would help officers protect themselves in increasingly challenging situations.

Officers face rising levels of abuse and assaults while performing their duties, Simon Harris stated before the Cabinet meeting, highlighting that tasers could serve a key role in certain situations.

Liam Kelly, representing the Police Federation, noted that the introduction of tasers would provide greater protection for frontline personnel. Currently, in Northern Ireland, tasers are limited to specially trained officers, though there is a growing call for wider deployment to reduce injuries during attacks.

Kelly remarked that tasers might have prevented injuries during a November incident in Londonderry and stressed that equipping officers could significantly reduce the number of assaults, which totaled 2,630 between October 2024 and September this year.

He explained that while officers already carry personal protection weapons, tasers offer a less-lethal option to control violent individuals safely without resorting to firearms in extreme cases.

Niall Hodgins, vice president of the Garda Representative Association, described the move as very welcome, noting nearly 1,000 attacks on Garda last year, with 300 classified as serious. He highlighted that tasers could help de-escalate violent encounters, providing a safer approach for both officers and the public.

However, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) expressed serious concerns about taser usage. ICCL director Joe OBrien argued that tasers are not a universal de-escalation tool and represent a major shift from Irelands tradition of maintaining an unarmed police force. He criticized the lack of clarity regarding the objectives and assessment methods for the pilot, stating, Tasers are not the Christmas gift Garda need.

Author: Maya Henderson