'Ireland is becoming a more violent society...'
That's according to Aontú leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín, who was speaking to Northern Sound today about the need to protect frontline workers from attacks. Deputy Tóibín has submitted a new Bill to the Dail which seeks to jail those who attack Gardai and healthcare professionals carrying out their duties.
He says that Gardai are under pressure now like never before and Ireland has the lowest level of police in the EU per capita. The Meath East TD added that there were 3,500 assaults on health care workers within the Ireland East Hospital Group over a seven year period.
"There are no doubts that we are living in a society that is unfortunately far more violent. There are many ingredients to that but one of the best way to deal with it, is a properly resourced Gardai force working across towns and villages throughout our communities.
We in Aontú are concerned that many areas do not have the necessary supply of Gardai. We are not going to be able to resource those areas if we cannot guarantee the Gardai that they are going to be protected," Deputy Tóibín said.
