Pepper spray should be legalised to help women feel safe again, an independent Senator has suggested.

Commonly used for self-defence, pepper spray is legal to carry in countries like the US, Italy, and France.

In Ireland, however, it is prohibited under the 1925 Firearms Act, which bans the manufacture, possession, or sale of “weapons discharging noxious liquids.”

Convictions for carrying pepper spray can result in a prison sentence of up to five years, a fine, or both, depending on the severity of the case.

On Lunchtime Live, Senator Sharon Keogan said it might be time to reconsider its use in modern society.

“Women don’t feel safe on the streets anymore, whether they’re out in numbers, small groups, or even walking alone,” she said.

“Pepper spray at this moment in time in Ireland is illegal under the 1925 legislation, so I think it's something that could be looked at.”

Women's safety

Senator Keogan said she opened her phone today to read a number of worrying articles relating to women’s safety.

“A teenager was remanded in detention with consent to bail over a sexual assault on a woman,” she said.

“Gardaí launched a probe after a visitor was allegedly sexually assaulted in a hospital.

"A woman was beaten by a man who tried to sexually assault her at a concert.

“Certainly, women are feeling vulnerable at this time; Ireland is changing, our demographic is changing and everyone needs to feel safe on our streets.”

A woman uses pepper spray against a thief. Image: Daria Kulkova / Alamy Stock Photo

Meanwhile, Elaine from Dublin told the show that pepper spray is a “useful tool” that should be used by Gardaí, not members of the public.

“If everybody who was feeling jittery had access to it without any kind of training or licence, you might as well be letting people walk down the road with any weapon,” she said.

“I think it's normal for people to feel apprehensive if they're somewhere they're not familiar with or if they're out and feel things aren't safe.

"They get that kind of hair-standing-up-on-the-back-of-the-neck feeling - but I do believe it's everyone's responsibility to know what to do in that situation and either avoid getting into it or know how to get out of it.”

Self-defence course

Corrine from Cavan said she “absolutely” believes pepper spray should be legalised.

“I'm not suggesting that you just sell it in the shop and any eejit can go buy it,” she said.

“You should have to take a course, go through a self-defence course, learn how to use it, when it should be used and how to report it if you do use it."

“I would like to have it with me if I’m going for a walk; I’d feel better having something like that on me.”

Corrine added that she’d be willing to pay for a course herself if it meant she could carry pepper spray and feel safe.

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Main image: A woman uses pepper spray in self defence. Image: Daria Kulkova / Alamy Stock Photo