Gardaí want action on attacks against emergency services

Senior gardaí are calling for a new criminal offence to be introduced dealing with attacks on front line emergency services.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said that assaults and obstruction of gardaí, prison officers, doctors, nurses and fire-fighters are on the increase.

Spokesman Austin Kenny said today that these workers provide vital services to the community and must be given special protection.