Pepper spray may have saved man’s life
Officers said that if they had pepper spray available to them — which most European and American forces have — it could have prevented the death of Trevor Clancy.
The 26-year-old stabbed Sergeant John Liston in Fermoy, Co Cork, after gardaí were called to an incident outside a nightclub in the town on New Year’s Eve.
The sergeant received injuries to his stomach, but luckily no organs were damaged.
The distressed youth then took the two knives he had and impaled himself against a wall. He died from his injuries.
Sgt Liston, speaking to delegates yesterday, said: “At 1.30am, 31 December 2006, my life changed forever. I was seriously injured on duty.”
He thanked the association and members for their support.
Gardaí believe that had Sgt Liston and another garda a pepper spray, events may have unfolded differently.
Delegate, Gerard Shortiss, of Cork North said: “We can’t be 100% sure, but he may have been able to incapacitate the man.”
William Gleeson of the national executive and Cork city said the association was calling for modern defensive equipment to effectively deal with violent situations.
“We need proper defensive equipment and training, including spray, to protect gardaí, protect other people from being injured, and in some cases prevent the person from hurting themselves.”
He said that had the gardaí the spray they “might have been able” to incapacitate the young man.
In another debate, John Doyle from Dublin South Central called for urgent action to stop crime bosses using their mobile phones in prison to conduct criminal operations outside.
He said mobile phones were being passed among prisoners during searches.
He said SIM cards were passed during visiting times in certain jails where visitors were allowed physical contact with inmates.
“This problem must not be allowed to escalate,” he told delegates.
Mick Conlon of the national executive said 658 mobile phones were seized in Mountjoy Prison last year.
He said 40 knives were also seized and that there had been 10 stabbings in Portlaoise Prison.
He said “endless amounts of contraband” were also getting into prisons.
“Our job used to be finished when criminals were locked up — that’s no longer the case.”
In another motion, Paschal Hanrahan of Laois/Offaly called on Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy to suitably acknowledge the bravery of members of the force killed or injured in the line of duty.
