Sharp rise in cases of assault and obstructing gardaí in recent years

THERE has been a sharp rise in recent years in the cases of assault and obstructing gardaí and of resisting arrest.

Figures released to the Irish Examiner show there have been about 235 recorded incidents, on average, over the past three years. There were 239 cases in 2006, 236 in 2007 and 235 in 2008.

This compares to 203 in 2004 and 186 in 2005. There has been a jump of about 25% in the number of offences since then.