More than one garda a day injured in assaults in 2024 despite rise in sentence

The maximum sentence for assaulting or threatening gardaí went up from seven to 12 years

Some 1,307 gardaí have sustained injuries as a result of being assaulted during the past three-and-a-half years. File picture

Gardaí were injured as a result of being assaulted on duty at a rate of more than one every single day last year, new figures have revealed.

A total of 372 officers sustained injuries in assaults during 2024, while another 128 were injured on duty as a result of being attacked during the first six months of this year.

The pattern of aggression has continued despite the introduction of new legislation in November 2023, which increased the maximum sentence for assaulting or threatening gardaí from seven to 12 years.

Some 1,307 gardaí have sustained injuries as a result of being assaulted during the past three-and-a-half years, according to data published by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD Padraig O’Sullivan.

Numbers spiked to a record 470 in 2023 from 337 during the previous year, before falling by 20% to 372 last year. A further 128 assaults causing injury had been reported up to June 26 this year.

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“We are all immensely grateful to our gardaí for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the important role that they play in our society,” said Mr O’Callaghan.

“For the most part, the relationship between gardaí and the public is one built on very significant trust. An Garda Síochána is a largely unarmed, and yet hugely effective, policing service.

“An assault on a member of An Garda Síochána, a prison officer, a member of the fire brigade, ambulance personnel, or a member of the Defence Forces is an offence under Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.”