Garda Pepper Spray Move Criticised

national | miscellaneous | press release

Friday October 24, 2008 23:43

by Richard Walsh - Republican Sinn Féin

RSF have criticised the announcement that all Free State "police" are to be armed with chemical weapons.

Republican Sinn Féin has criticised the decision to arm the 26-County police with chemical agents. The development was announced by Dermot Ahern, who said that pepper spray canisters would be made available to all Gardaí.

A spokesman said: “Since CS spray was reintroduced into the Occupied Six Counties, it has evolved into a weapon of first resort. There is little reason to suspect that it will be any different within the 26-Counties. Such agents have the potential to cause the target a severe allergic reaction, which on occasion can be fatal – particularly amongst people with pre-existing medical conditions.

“The force is infamous for its excessive use of force and lack of any accountability. Such can be seen through the disastrous actions of the 26-County police at Abbeylara in County Longford, which indeed prompted this latest development.

“Concern has also been expressed amongst observers that this might be an initial move towards the arming of all Garda personnel with firearms. The Gardaí have a very poor record when it comes to safeguarding the lives and well-being of suspects. Any additions to their armoury will cause alarm amongst many people.”

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Comments (6 of 6)

Over 35?

by Dee-dee

Mon Sep 13, 2010 17:30

To Jaqualine - why only to people over 35?. Do you think that people of 35 and older are the only important one's that should be allowed protect themselves? Your comment made me angry, as I am a young woman of 19, who on regular occasions will be walking from a carpark to college on dark evenings. I feel the need to protect myself, so if pepper sprays are to be made available, they should be available to EVERY adult; not just a few, select 'over 35's club'.

Troubled Streets

by Jacqueline Fallon

Tue Oct 28, 2008 16:38

I believe everyone over 35 should be entitled to purchase pepper spray to protect themselves. Ordinary decent citizens are being attacked daily for no particular reason, and it is not fair that just Gardaí are permitted to use pepper spray. Every Irish citizen should be entitled to avail of self-defence devices such as pepper spray going about these troubled streets.

the red luas line

by luas user

Tue Oct 28, 2008 15:01

to be honest there is so much violence on the red luas line that I wish I had some pepper spray to protect myself or more guards about to help me if I get attacked-with the economic turndown and rise in unemployment it seems the street violence is just getting worse. I hope it doesnt get as bad as new york where people just look the other way, i'm not suggesting we should be vigilantes just that the people ourselves should look after our own streets and be wary and ready to step in and save others from attack.

Big deal

by Des

Tue Oct 28, 2008 13:35

You've little to cry about Richard.
Better pepper spray than guns the way the cops in the North have.
Better spraying some hood in the face than hitting him on the head with a batton.
If the Guards are going to abuse some one, face it, they don't need pepper spray to do it.

...

by Catlady

Tue Oct 28, 2008 02:52

I can see the problem with this...... The cops have it... and we don't......

Lets look to France..... we can all have it there. It's non-lethal, and you buy it only from the police. So as a young lady I used to walk the streets of Lille armed, just in case some nutter attacked me. It's very reassuring to be honest. And remember, if we can all have it, then we can fight back if the cops decide to randomly spray us at protests etc...... And i can be protected from wierdos.

I used to walk the streets of Galway armed with a stun gun from South Africa. By Lough Atalia. I was wise to do so seeing what has happened there since.....

pepper spray v baton. the battle continues

by cs

Tue Oct 28, 2008 01:56

Lets just assume for a minute that we don't live in a happy land of peace and harmony. The kind of place where crime is rare and criminals well mannered. Lets instead look at the possibility that crime in Ireland is rampant and the days of telling young and indeed older hooligans to go on home are well and truly dead and gone and "with O Leary in the grave". The rank and file members of the police force in the Republic of Ireland will now have two, YES TWO weapons available to them. An asp friction lock (telescopic) baton or soon to be seen, pepper spray. Now here is the question you should consider, Which would you prefer to have used on you? A length of metal bar....or....pepper spray? I accept, both may hurt, both may even have side effects. Some people may indeed in very exceptional circumstances die. Those with pre-existing medical conditions will almost certainly suffer more than others. But what is the alternative? Instead of constantly critiscising, suggest something equally as effective that is more to your liking. Because the day you find yourself surrounded by a group of drunken or drugged and angry people, intent on causing you harm, who aren't interested in verbally jousting with you.....is the day you 'll wish you had some pepper spray. There is a time to talk and there is a time to do...when talking fails there are only two choices left...walk away, or intervene. If you walk away, then on your own conscience be it. If you intervene, well a notebook and biro may just not be enough

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Garda Pepper Spray Move Criticised

Comments (6 of 6)