Garda use of tasers a 'dangerous step for community policing', human rights group says

Garda Kelly Smyth demonstrating at Store Street Garda Station in Dublin as An Garda Síochána launched a pilot programme deploying tasers to frontline uniformed gardaí. Picture: Leah Farrell /  RollingNews.ie

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has criticised the wider rollout of tasers among members of An Garda Síochána, saying it marks a “significant shift in our model of policing by consent”.

The council sounded the alarm as 128 uniform gardaí have been issued with tasers amid concerns over the rising number of assaults on Garda members.