A new compensation fund is to be set up for members of the Garda Síochána who have suffered personal injuries in the course of their duties, the Minister for Justice announced yesterday.
Mr O'Donoghue told the GRA conference in Cork he was conscious of the dangers facing gardaí, particularly in light of the recent spate of "joyriding" incidents.
"Money cannot compensate the individual, the family, friends and colleagues of a member who suffers death or serious injury, but it is important that official recognition is given to your special position," he said.
Mr O'Donoghue also pledged to establish a corruption assets bureau if Fianna Fáil was returned to government. The bureau would focus exclusively on assets corruptly received or given, or assets whose value was corruptly enhanced.
The Minister also spoke of the possibility of setting up a confiscated criminal assets fund which would benefit victims of crime.
He commended gardaí for their work on combating street violence, adding that late-night public disorder was a scourge, not only in this country, but in other jurisdictions which had been experiencing increased affluence.
He said the recent deaths of two gardaí in Dublin highlighted the risks police officers were under as they attempted to carry out their duties.
"I wish to publicly acknowledge the risks which gardaí, throughout the length and breadth of this country, face each time they set out on what often has the appearance of a routine day's duty.
"It should never be forgotten that citizens who sleep safely in their beds at night do so because other citizens, who wear the uniform of a Garda Síochána, do not."
Gardaí often have to drive 20 miles in order to respond to an emergency call because of a serious shortage of manpower in stations throughout the State, according to the Garda Representative Association.
Garda Brian Finn of Kells, Co Meath, told the conference in Cork yesterday that criminals were targeting smaller towns because they knew they would have the upper hand in proceedings.
"Gardaí are driving 20 miles to answer calls. Invariably the culprits have fled, and the injured parties feel aggrieved. Nothing has been done to date about this problem," he said.
Garda Finn's views were echoed by gardaí from throughout the State, who spoke of a drop in morale among members of the police force.
Garda James Griffith of Galway West said there were more doormen policing night-clubs than gardaí on the streets.
Gardaí were becoming increasingly concerned about the lack of officers available on the beat, especially as public order offences continued to escalate.
Garda Maurice Deenihan, from Cork, said gardaí in the city had been kicked, beaten, had their legs broken and been spat on by criminal elements.
"What are our members expected to do?" he said. "At the moment Ministers and politicians are promising anything to get a vote. Come next Saturday there won't be a mention of crime."
The GRA called for purpose-built patrol cars with enhanced safety and strengthened side-impact features.
Garda John O'Sullivan of Cork city said gardaí were powerless when faced with criminals who had stolen high-performance cars.
"How many more times will we have to attend the funerals of our colleagues before something is done?" he asked.