Gardaí to 'insist' minister sets up task force to tackle violence

Garda Representative Association calls for urgent action to address escalating levels of violence against gardaí

Garda Representative Association interim general secretary Philip McAnenly: '[W]e intend to express these concerns further and insist that this task force is formed as a matter of extreme urgency.' File picture: Conor Ó Mearáin

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) will insist, when it meets Justice Minister Simon Harris next week, that the Government agree to the “urgent” establishment of a special task force on violence against gardaí.

The GRA sent letters to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Micheál Martin almost four weeks ago calling for a task force to address rising violence against gardaí and issues of morale and staff retention.