McEntee gets green light for crackdown on face coverings

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has received Government approval to provide powers to Gardai to direct the removal of face coverings during protests. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has received Government approval to provide powers for gardaí to direct the removal of face coverings during protests.

The proposal comes in response to a rise in violent protests over the past year where some attendees covered their faces with balaclavas and masks.

The measures received agreement at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

At present there is no clear power for gardaí to direct a person to take a face covering off.

Helen McEntee is introducing a series of measures to assist gardai in public order situations (Julien Behal/PA)

The proposed amendment to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act would provide a power for gardaí to require a person to remove a face covering in circumstances where a public order offence has arisen or a person is loitering in a manner giving rise to concerns for the safety of people or property, and the member believes the face covering is being worn to intimidate others or to conceal the person’s identity to frustrate a investigation.

A Government spokesperson said a Bill to amend the Act would be a priority for the minister.

It is one of a series of measures being introduced by the minister to further empower gardaí in public order incidents, including the introduction of body-worn cameras, new public order equipment and the use of facial recognition technology.