Gardaí set to get pepper spray

Gardaí will begin to be armed with pepper spray over the coming weeks, it was confirmed today.

The Department of Justice said the non-lethal weapon is to be rolled-out on a phased basis at a cost of €450,000.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern announced last October that gardaí would be able to carry the spray to help restrain violent suspects after a massive upsurge in attacks on officers.

A spokesman for the Department said: “Rollout will take place on a phased basis after training of the individual members so it can be expected that the spray will begin to be carried by gardaí in public over the coming weeks and months.”

Gardaí have developed rules for the use of the weapons, including notifying the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission.

The first training session will take place throughout this week and a second over 10-days in late August and early September.

The Department said officers have also examined the health implications of using the weapons and discussed the matter with medics.

Head of the Garda Inspectorate Kathleen O’Toole had recommended the move in the wake of the Barr tribunal report, which investigated the fatal shooting of John Carthy following a siege in Abbeylara, Co Longford, in 2000.

When used the pepper spray causes irritation to the eyes.