The Garda has significantly boosted its public order policing capabilities since the Dublin riots in 2023, with the number of trained personnel in Dublin increasing from 200 to 700.
Two water cannons have been acquired, as well as 15 new public order vehicles and 600 body-worn cameras, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan will tell the Cabinet on Wednesday.
Mr O’Callaghan will outline new measures that have been introduced to strengthen public order policing since the events of November 23rd, 2023, when more than 60 gardaí were assaulted during a night of looting, arson and vandalism by a large mob.
Since the riots, new public order policing plans have resulted in more than 1,500 gardaí getting increased training in public order policing, while the number of gardaí in Dublin with public order training has increased from 200 to 700.
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Meanwhile, public order gardaí are to be issued with more body armour and modern round shields, which are more mobile.
The potential for use of tasers by gardaí in public order situations continues to be examined, while the expansion of the dog unit is also being considered.
There has also been a significant increase in the number of new gardaí assigned to Dublin as part of a plan to increase the range and frequency of visible policing on the capital’s streets. As of now, 600 uniformed gardaí have been issued with body-worn cameras.
Cabinet approval was secured last December for the offences of riot and violent disorder to be included in new legislation and for the use of facial recognition technology. Proposals are also being progressed to introduce a ban on face coverings or balaclavas at protests where there is an intention to intimidate.
[ Idea that Dublin city is a lawless wasteland must be counteredOpens in new window ]
The Cabinet will also be briefed on a high-profile ad campaign following the riots where photographs of 99 people of interest were shared with the public. It is understood that 90 were identified. Some were eliminated from inquiries after identification.
Mr O’Callaghan is also expected to share a report prepared by the Policing Authority in the wake of the riot, which was submitted in August 2024. It highlighted a number of areas for improvement including central co-ordination, management and governance, resourcing, use of force, equipment and training, and staff welfare.
Separately, Minister for Education Norma Foley will seek approval for the State’s response to a complaint made to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination by seven people of African-Irish descent.
[ Teen who ‘enthusiastically’ took part in Dublin riots is jailedOpens in new window ]
The seven claim the State failed to respond to systemic racism in Irish childcare institutions, including mother-and-baby homes, between the 1940s and the 1990s.
The State’s response is that mothers in those homes were discriminated against and stigmatised but the commission which investigated the matter did not find any clear evidence of systemic discrimination.
