Inspectorate backs calls to arm gardaí with pepper spray

THE Garda inspectorate yesterday rolled in behind calls by middle-ranking gardaí to immediately arm members with pepper spray.

Safety on the streets for gardaí was a key issue and justified the use of incapacitant spray, delegates at the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors conference heard.

Reiterating the call for less lethal weapons for gardaí, the inspectorate said the issuing of pepper spray needed to be speeded up following recent recommendations.