Gardaí demand to be armed with pepper spray

GARDA representatives yesterday demanded their members be armed with pepper sprays after gardaí were hospitalised following a public order incident.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) also criticised the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) for “failing” to investigate garda working conditions and ensure the safety of police.

Three gardaí were hospitalised in Sligo early on Sunday after being attacked by 20 youths who were reportedly “egged on” by up to several hundred onlookers exiting night clubs.