A former Garda Sergeant has described it as “good news” that the force could be armed with tasers in the future. 

While some specialist units have been issued with tasers, frontline Gardaí do not have access to them.

Yesterday, new Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said he was “considering” whether to arm frontline Gardaí with tasers, describing it as “really important that they have everything they need to protect themselves."

On Newstalk Breakfast, retired Garda Sergeant Christy Galligan said tasers would make things safer for members of the force. 

“I believe they’re not lethal weapons and I think that all members should have them,” he said. 

“We’ve had 150 Gardaí since the start of this year who were assaulted - over 3,440 in the last 12 years.

“These are men and women who go out every day to do their jobs in uniform to protect us and do a very difficult job at times - like a lot of frontline emergency workers.” 

Gardaí down in Kerry. Picture by: Alamy.com. 

Mr Galligan added that he knows “what it’s like to be assaulted” while out in uniform. 

“I’ve been assaulted many times and all I had in the good old days was an old wooden baton to protect myself,” he said. 

“There was a lot of resistance when the extendable baton, pepper spray and even the stab vest came in. 

“Now there’s a little bit of resistance again.” 

Gardaí in Dublin Picture by: Leah Farrell/ RollingNews.ie.

Opposing the move, former Garda Assistant Commissioner for Dublin Dr Pat Leahy said he believed it would be “just a step too far”. 

“I do think the step into everybody using tasers is a step beyond what’s necessary right now,” he said. 

“I think it shows us as not being congruent with what we’re seeing about ourselves as a community orientated police service.”

Main image: A Garda with a taser. Picture by: Alamy.com.