Gardaí should be given tasers to stem a “dramatic increase in violent assaults”, criminologist Paul Williams has argued. 

Tasers are stun guns manufactured in America but have been authorised for use by British police since 2003. 

They are non lethal and Mr Williams believes they could be an important tool in the fight against crime in Ireland.

“There has been a dramatic increase in violent assaults on Gardaí,” he told The Hard Shoulder. 

“They should, indeed, be equipped with these because they’re probably safer than using a firearm.”

Members of An Garda Síochána who are issued with firearms must undergo training and Mr Williams believes the same rule should apply to any issued with tasers. 

“The Gardaí need to be properly trained in the use of these devices and there are Gardaí using them already,” he said. 

“They are of serious deterrent value because you have to look at the bigger picture; it’s easy for us to sit here and have a debate about this because we’re not the ones who have to go out on the streets of Dublin or Limerick or Kilkenny and face violent or hostile people and take them on in the interests of preserving peace.”

2HHPC1P Garda, Irish police force members on patrol in rain in Glenties, County Donegal, Ireland

Speaking to Newstalk, interim Justice Minister Simon Harris seemed agnostic on the issue. 

“We have armed Gardaí, we have an emergency response unit, we have an emergency response unit,” he said. 

“I know the [Garda] Commissioner is currently the equipment available to members of the Gardaí - for example pepper spray, the baton, the handcuff, that’s all important. 

“Like I say, it’s certainly not a place I’d go into without a very clear recommendation without the Garda Commissioner.” 

Ireland is one of a small number of countries where law enforcement do not routinely carry weapons. The decision was taken during the Civil War partly because it was thought that attacks by anti-Treaty republicans on unarmed Gardaí would turn public opinion against them.

Main image: A police officer with a taser. Picture by: Alamy.com