A Monaghan Senator has condemned attacks on Gardaí by calling for mandatory sentences for assaults on emergency services. The calls from Senator Robbie Gallagher are in response to recent incidents involving members of An Garda Síochána who were hospitalised following serious attacks across the country.
According to Senator Gallagher, such " intolerable attacks" are a stark reminder of the dangers Gardaí and other frontline workers face.
Speaking to Northern Sound, the local Fianna Fail representative highlighted how he previously brought forward legislation which would ensure a minimum sentence of five years for anyone who is charged with the assault of a member of the emergency services unless the court decides that by reason of exceptional and specific circumstances relating to the offence or it would be unjust.
He added that such attacks highlight the urgent need to act so we have the most stringent of sentences for those who assault Gardaí.
"It's very worrying the assaults generally on all emergency workers, not just members of the Gardaí," he explained. "Indeed, this includes ambulance personnel, nurses, doctors and other hospital staff who are regularly assaulted and unfortunately those figures year on year are on the increase where there seems to be a total lack of respect for our emergency workers which is very very disappointing."
