Frontline gardaí will begin carrying Tasers as part of pilot programme

Commissioner Kelly is on the public record as saying that Tasers will only be provided to gardaí with body cams.

A pilot programme for equipping frontline gardaí with Tasers will begin this week.

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan will bring a memo to Cabinet noting the beginning of the project that allows around 120 specially trained frontline gardaí in Dublin central, Waterford, and Kilkenny to carry conducted energy devices, commonly known as Tasers.

Specially trained frontline gardaí will be given the devices as part of an evaluation for their use as an additional tactical option in overall “graduated policing response”.

Sources said the trial will be similar to that of body-worn cameras, which have been credited recently with “de-escalating situations and being very useful”.

Currently, just a small number of gardaí in the Armed Response Unit and Emergency Response Units have access to Tasers, but Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said in his first days in the job that gardaí should have everything they need to undertake their duties and enforce the law.

He said this will include the “full rollout” of body-worn cameras, adding that An Garda Síochána was moving towards a further procurement process.

An Garda Síochána is continuing to make preparations for the introduction of a trial of tasers.

Commissioner Kelly is on the public record as saying that Tasers will only be provided to gardaí with body cams.

“We’ve seen some of the recent incidents where frontline members have been under significant pressure and, on a weekly basis, I see the reports of members of gardaí who were injured — so it’s really important that they have everything they need to protect themselves.”

Also at Cabinet, Mr O’Callaghan will present his National Development Plan of up to €2.18bn.

It is believed key priorities include expanding prison capacity, the national rollout of body-worn cameras, and State-owned accommodation for asylum seekers, delivery of the new Dublin district mortuary, and fleet electrification to support long-term environmental performance.