McDowell: New law will strengthen protection for emergency workers

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Michael McDowell today said that provisions in the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which came into force on August 1, have greatly strengthened the legal protection for emergency workers who are assaulted, threatened or obstructed.

Minister McDowell said: “The special demands of acting in an emergency situation necessitate explicit protection in law for this essential group of workers and those assisting them and it is only right that such people who serve the State so courageously are afforded protection by the State.