New public order unit body armour that cost over €3.6 million is being rolled out across the country today to members of the Garda National Public Order Unit (GNPOU).
The rollout is expected to be completed by the end of March this year, and will include personal-issue body armour to all GNPOU operators.
According to An Garda Síochána, the upgraded body armour includes features such as enhanced fire safety material; MOLLE (Modular, Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment) webbing, which allows for the carriage of tactical equipment; and slash, stab and impact protection.
There are currently over 1,500 trained public order gardaí, and each member will be fitted for their new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
A garda spokesperson said that the armour will be worn in three different levels in line with a “graduated response”, from soft cap deployment to full public order PPE.
An Garda Síochána has ramped up procurement for the public order unit recently, acquiring two water cannons; round shields; and modernised specialist public order transport vehicles.