Gardaí insist on training in use of pepper spray

GARDAÍ have welcomed a decision by management to order 15,000 pepper sprays, but warned sufficient training in the use of the non-lethal weapons is needed.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) said evidence from other countries had shown the use of incapacitant or pepper sprays had led to less attacks on members of police forces.

Garda management want an immediate delivery of 3,000 sprays and the rest of the sprays will be ordered in batches of 1,000 as needed over the next 12 months.