The provision of new Garda protection equipment has been urged by the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors. The equipment could include pepper sprays, anti-stab vests and modern batons.
A motion, backed by the Clare and Cavan/Monaghan branches of the association, was passed at their annual conference yesterday that members be supplied with more up-to-date equipment to protect them against assaults.
Mr Eric Boyle, a delegate from Cavan/Monaghan, said the frequency of assaults on gardaí was a matter of national concern.
"On completion of training, the gardaí passing out in 1922 was issued with a baton and a pair of handcuffs.
"It is unbelievable to think that in the 80 years to the year 2002, no change has occurred." He added that items such as sprays, protective weapons and modern batons were widely used by police forces.
"We do not even have a utility belt on issue to all members at present to afford easy access to current items of equipment."
Mr John O'Sullivan (Clare) said knife and syringe attacks on gardaí were commonplace and the perpetrators often behaved irrationally.
A motion for the training of a breaching team in each Garda division was also passed. Mr John Whelan (Limerick) said that only the Emergency Response Unit was trained in the use of the "Enforcer" battering ram for breaking down doors. Garda drug units used sledgehammers and pick-axes, which often gave suspects inside time to dispose of drugs.
"Mr O'Donoghue spent an awful lot of time last night talking about drugs, saying, 'We'll use increased resources and provide additional resources to the drugs units. We'll dismantle their enterprises.' All we want is something to dismantle the doors."