Policing Authority hails Garda pandemic efforts but voices concerns over spit hoods

Authority chair Bob Collins said spit hoods had no proven effectiveness in preventing the spread of Covid-19 and their use remains a concern

The Policing Authority said it still has concerns over the use of spit hoods.

The Policing Authority has praised the work of An Garda Síochána over the course of a year defined by the Covid-19 pandemic, but said it still has concerns over the use of spit hoods.

In the organisation's latest annual report, the chair of the authority, Bob Collins, wrote: "The depth of appreciation throughout the community, by the great majority of people, for the work of the Garda Síochána has been of a remarkable character.