Gardaí endure 30 spitting and coughing attacks over 2 weeks

Drew Harris

Gardaí have been spat or coughed at on more than 30 occasions in the last two-and-a-half weeks, while the controversial anti-spit guards have been used on 15 occasions.

Garda commissioner Drew Harris has condemned the attacks as 'reprehensible' and defended the use of the anti-spit guards, which he describes as "a last resort". The spit hoods can be applied to suspects to cover their head and face to prevent them spitting while arrested or in custody.