More than 120 Gardaí have been injured after being assaulted on duty this year.

They suffered fractures, dislocations and open wounds.

These figures have been released by the Gardaí under the Freedom of Information Act.

They show that in the first nine months of this year there were 123 attacks on Gardaí.

Some 44% of them, or 54, resulted in officers getting bruises, grazes or bite injuries.

While 28 Gardaí got sprains or strains, four suffered fractures and three got dislocations.

Eight suffered open wounds and one officer got serious multiple injuries.

In 2019, there were 265 attacks on Gardaí.

An Garda Siochána says it is very mindful of the very significant occupational demands placed on its members, and the exposure to very stressful and traumatic situations.

Security analyst, and former Garda sergeant, Sheelagh Brady says the problem is worse than the figures suggest.

"These figures of 121 to date this year probably don't reflect the experience lived and worked by members of An Garda Síochána on the ground.

"I think while they give a picture of the prevalence maybe of the more serious end, I don't think they fully take into consideration the extent of injuries - be they physical or mental - on An Garda Síochána".