The Garda Representative Association (GRA) is reiterating a call for tougher mandatory sentences for those who assault Gardaí or other frontline workers.
It said there has been a 57% increase in assaults against its members over the past five years.
Brendan O'Connor is president of the GRA.
He told Pat Kenny: "We're talking about the entire spectrum from minor assaults - a push, a shove, maybe a punch - to then they get more serious to a kick... and then we saw a case recently there where a Guard was actually stabbed in the head with a screwdriver.
"And then we all witnessed what happened in Cherry Orchard last week; and then in Dundalk last weekend, we had fire crews and Gardaí coming under attack from a gang of youths throwing stones.
"So certainly there's an entire spectrum, but an alarming regularity and a pattern which continues on an upwards trajectory".
He said there has to be something there to deter such behaviour.
"What we want is a strong deterrent that will actually act and give a message that if you attack a member of An Garda Síochána... that there will be consequences for you.
"I think it's for more learned people on the bench to decide the exact sentence.
"But certainly we would believe, for the serious attacks on our members, custodial sentences have to be part of the equation".
'No doubt what they will face'
Mr O'Connor said while there should still be discretion for judges, the sentences should be defined.
"What we're looking for is a strong, robust, mandatory sentence.
"Our Constitution and our democracy always will have some failsafe, or some level of discretion for members of the judiciary - and that would be entirely appropriate.
"But we would like to see, on the whole, very robust legislation that leaves people on no doubt [sic] of what they will face if they choose to use violence".
And he said there is already a bill before the Oireachtas that specifically references an incident if a Garda car is rammed.
"What we are calling for is the political partners to get behind that legislation and get it moving.
"There's no impediment to passing legislation: it's there, it's drafted, it's at committee stage.
"We understand that if the political will was there, that legislation would be passed," he added.
