THE chairman of the newly formed Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) in Donegal has accused the minister for justice of using a ‘band-aid plaster approach’ to addressing criminality.
Councillor Gerry McMonagle was speaking to the Donegal News this week as it was learned more than 100 gardaí are to get tasers in a pilot project.
Under the plan, tasers will be issued to 128 frontline uniformed gardaí.
The scheme will take place in Dublin Central, Waterford and Kilkenny. It will operate for six months alongside the continued roll-out of body worn cameras. Under the programme, tasers will only be issued to those equipped with cameras.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan informed the government of the plan on Tuesday. Tánaiste Simon Harris said tasers in certain instances can play an important role.
But Cllr McMonagle said that while he fully supports the need for gardaí to be able to protect themselves, he believes the move does nothing to address the wider problem of a depleting garda force.
Gardaí in these difficult times need to be able to protect themselves and the community from violent criminals. That said, I believe that what gardaí and indeed our communities need is more gardaí on the street with more vehicle resources for rural areas.”
Cllr McMonagle pointed out that the appointment of a second superintendent for Donegal remains outstanding.
“We have been waiting almost two years for the appointment of a second superintendent for Donegal. So, no disrespect to the Minister but it’s real investment in our depleted gardaí we need not a band-aid plaster approach to the many gaps we have in many of our garda divisions across the country and particularly in Donegal.”
Those who support the project point out that an average of 299 gardaí were assaulted each year between 2014 and 2024.
Figures obtained by this newspaper earlier this year through the Freedom of Information Act revealed 20 gardaí in Donegal Division sustained injury in the course of duty in 2024. Assault accounted for the highest injury type (15).
The plan has been criticised by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) as deeply concerning. The ICCL say international evidence suggests the use of tasers can escalate a situation, particularly when people are experiencing mental health crises.
Meanwhile, local reaction to the move was mixed when the Donegal News asked people their views in Letterkenny yesterday.
Seamus Quinn.
Seamus Quinn said he would be wary of the introduction of tasers. He expressed concerns around how gardaí would be trained to use them to their best effect.
“It might put them (gardaí) under more pressure to do their job, when you really want guards to exercise a soft power,” he said.
Conor McBride.
Conor McBride said he was sorry to see that people believe tasers are necessary in today’s world.
He spoke about living through the Troubles and how gardaí were not armed then, yet now, because of riots by a very small minority, there is a perception that they’re necessary.
“My only issue would be, is it really necessary or are we just hyping ourselves into it? Or is Simon Harris looking for another soundbite?” he said.
Oran Brogan.
Meanwhile, Oran Brogan said he would support the use of tasers in certain scenarios but also raised concerns about how often gardaí would actually deploy them.
“Have they just got them for the sake of it? Or is it to scare people?” he asked.
He questioned the reasoning behind the decision. If tasers were being introduced for safety, he said he would support it, but if the motivation was anything else, he would not.
Tina Carr Lewis.
Cora Doherty also agreed that tasers might be needed in extreme circumstances, but said she would be concerned if they became a regular response in situations where they were not necessary.
In contrast, Tina Carr Lewis said she is in favour of the introduction of tasers for gardaí over growing concerns for their safety. Living just off the Market Square, she said she has noticed an increase in anti-social behaviour on Letterkenny’s Main Street.
“I don’t know how they expect guards with no weapons bar pepper spray to deal with the anti-social behaviour,” she added.
