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The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, TD, has today briefed the Government on the fourth issue of the Policing Authority Report on Policing Performance by An Garda Síochána in Relation to the COVID 19 Regulations.  The Minister had requested the Policing Authority to conduct a regular and independent assessment of An Garda Síochána’s exercise of the temporary powers in support of the public health guidelines. 

The Minister said :

I am very pleased with the findings of the Policing Authority’s  fourth report as they relate to engagement by an Garda Síochána with communities throughout the country.  Last night I informed the Dáil of how across all our communities, rural and urban, Garda members are reaching out to those who are most vulnerable, who are alone, or who are afraid and of how Gardaí are encouraging anyone who needs help to call their local Garda station.  Today’s Policing Authority’s report focuses on community engagement and reports a palpable sense of appreciation for the work being done by the Gardaí and a new tone in their approach. It reports a sense of doing old jobs better which has had a significant impact on the community’s experience of policing.

The fourth Report from the Policing Authority finds that An Garda Síochána are continuing to police the health crisis in a sensitive and proportionate manner and to use the powers under the Health Regulations only sparingly.  The Report contains a geographical and chronological breakdown on the use of the Garda powers and the incidents of deployment of anti-spit guards.   The impact of Operation Faoiseamh, a key response to domestic abuse and sexual violence during the pandemic, is also considered. 

The Minister continued –

I remain very concerned for the vulnerability of the victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence at this time.  But I want the message to clearly go out to the women and men who suffer these dreadful crimes that supports and services are still available despite the pandemic; and that the civil and criminal justice system will continue to prioritise your support and safety.

I am very pleased with the professionalism shown by the women and men of An Garda Síochána and I would like to thank Policing Authority chairman, Bob Collins, for the important role which the Authority and all its staff are undertaking. Their dedicated work is contributing to maintaining transparency and trust in one of the most important institutions of the State at this most crucial time.

Notes for editors

Additional powers were provided for An Garda Síochána in support of public health related restrictions on movement and gatherings, through legislation and regulations by the Department of Health – namely the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020, which amends the Health Act 1947, and associated regulations. These powers are temporary in nature.

Additional information on the use by An Garda Síochána of these powers and associated monitoring by the Policing Authority is available on the website of the Department of Justice and Equality, at the following link:

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Use_of_Covid-19_related_powers_by_An_Garda_S%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na