Gardaí should not have doubt about use of force, says Helen McEntee
Justice Minister Helen McEntee speaks to the media about the Dublin riots after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Picture: PA
Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said some gardaí are unsure about the level of force they can use in certain situations and the Policing Authority will now provide clarity on what is permitted.
She said she does not want any garda to have any doubt about this when they are responding to scenes such as the riots in Dublin last Thursday night.
Holding a press conference following a Cabinet briefing that discussed last Thursday's riots in the city, the minister reiterated her belief that the police response to the riots was "absolutely exceptional" but added that there are "lessons to be learned".
"I do not want any member of An Garda Síochána looking over their shoulder unsure as to what type of level of force that they can use in responding to these types of difficult scenarios," said Ms McEntee.
Asked if gardaí could not have stopped the burning of vehicles and looting of shops, Ms McEntee said: "These are situations which unfold in a split second.
"I don't think anybody could have predicted what would have led to Thursday night's events.
Asked if this meant nothing could have been done to prevent the riots, she added: "There are always lessons to be learned."
The minister also said the heads of a bill for the use of facial recognition technology, which proposes its use for investigating riots, would come before the Government before Christmas.
A government spokesperson said Ms McEntee made contact with Green Party leader Eamon Ryan before she announced the expansion of the controversial proposed legislation. The Green Party has reiterated that it awaits the details of the proposals before it agrees to it.
Asked if additional resources for arming additional gardaí with firearms would be provided, Ms McEntee said there had been no discussions and "no moves to change" the current structure of a mostly unarmed police force.
A Government spokesperson said the Cabinet has expressed its support for Ms McEntee and that an increase in garda visibility would be maintained.
