Gardaí welcome new protective headgear

The site of the Crown Paints factory in Coolock was the scene of days of rioting last July. While members of the public order unit do have helmets, gardaí without head protection were also the target of a hail of missiles. File picture: Niall Carson/PA

Frontline garda representatives have welcomed an announcement by the Garda Commissioner that new helmets will be provided to all gardaí to protect them during incidents of violent public disorder.

But the Garda Representative Association also questioned "why it has taken so long" for the protective gear to be issued.