*Photograph: John Mangan
AGGRESSION LEVELS shown to Gardaí in Clare is rising.
Superintendent John Ryan who has responsibility for the Clare Community Engagement area expressed his view that social media is fuelling a more hostile reception for members of An Garda Síochána.
Speaking at a sitting of the Ennis Municipal District, Supt Ryan commented, “the level of aggression and violence towards our members is hugely different to what it was ten years ago or twenty years ago when I was a working garda in Ennis, social media is pushing a lot of that because it is cameras in your face”.
Introduction of body-cameras on Gardaí is needed, he believed. “Body cams will come down the line but it needs to be pushed because it will protect our members”.
At the time of his address, four Ennis based Gardaí were out of work “because of assaults and injuries”. He admitted, “we can’t get replacements for them, we have to operate with what we have”.
