FRONTLINE Gardai were left “exposed” during last year’s vicious riot in the heart of Dublin, it has been claimed.
John Joe O’Connell, from the Garda Representatives Association’s Kildare division, made the claim after a motion calling on Garda management to provide personal protection helmets was passed at the GRA’s 46th annual conference in Westport, Co Mayo.
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Speaking for the first time about last November’s riots, the Kildare-based officer told how gardai from around the country responded to the trouble after receiving text messages from their colleagues.
Gda O’Connell said: “It was a very surreal circumstance to see patrol cars and buses all heading into Dublin city centre to deal with this ferocious and horrendous riotous behaviour by thugs.
“We just dropped what we were doing – I got no official order or official request. I got a text from a colleague that is reflected across the country.
“It was one of the largest crime scenes I have ever seen.
“We gathered whatever we could. Some of the more senior guys there brought up protective riot helmets that we got 15 or 20 years ago.
“But the junior members did not have this particular equipment and we found in Dublin many, many members, the ordinary gardai on the street, were really exposed on the night.
“You’re looking at a garda van with public order members and every single window broken out of it – crazy stuff really.”
The GRA rep added: “You wouldn’t expect anyone to walk onto a building site, they wouldn’t be allowed to walk onto a building site without a hard hat.
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“Yet our members were there facing assault, serious verbal abuse, physical abuse, assaults, spat at, implements thrown at them, and they’re wearing a soft cap.
“I would be very proud of the members that I worked alongside with that night and brought calm back to the city centre.
“That’s why we have the motion today that every single garda, that the Garda Commissioner issues them with a protective riot helmet.
“It’s one thing to say we are training our people in public order for that specialist unit but it’s another thing to say the ordinary guard on the street is prepared for this if it happens again.”
Officer lost toe during riot
Karl O’Reilly, from the GRA’s South Central Division, also told how one of his colleagues had lost a toe during the riot.
He added: “There’s not sufficient protective gear. We do have full body armour but it doesn’t cover the feet. There are issues with public order boots.
“That failed on the night and it needs to be resolved ASAP.
‘Saviours of the night’
“I think the guards themselves were the saviours of the night.
“That member was wearing official equipment – it’s not as if he was wearing a pair of boots he bought.
“It’s the one that I wear when I am out doing public order duties and it failed. It needs to be addressed.
“My colleague is doing well, he’s back at work and has come to terms with his injury.”
