A judge has called for Taser stun guns to be issued to gardaí to deal with public order incidents.
Currently, the use of Taser weapons is restricted to trained members of the armed Emergency Response Unit, based in Dublin, and the five Regional Response Units.
Judge Anthony Halpin, who was presiding at the Dublin Children's Court, heard that a 17-year-old boy bit a garda on the leg during a melee in Temple Bar last St Patrick's Day.
Gardaí had to use an incapacitant spray on the first-time offender. However, Judge Halpin, who described the incident as “savage”, said: “Incapacitant sprays do not work after time, they [gardaí] should have Tasers.”
“If someone gets out of control they should be able to use those Tasers,” he said adding that other police forces particularly in the United States use the stun guns.
“I cannot see why the Commissioner does not authorise them for gardaí trying to maintain public order,” he said adding, “I firmly believe gardai should have Tasers.” Otherwise gardai face risks of being seriously injured, the judge also said.
The 17-year-old boy had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Garda Niall McLoughlin at Crown Alley.Judge Halpin adjourned the case until September to allow time for a probation report on the youth, who was accompanied to his hearing by his mother, to be furnished to the court.