The Public Order Units of An Garda Síochána are set to receive 600 ‘round shields’ as part of the organisations review of its response to the Dublin city centre riots of November 2023.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee confirmed the information to Fine Gael TD Richard Bruton after he asked the minister “if the review has resulted in new approaches being put in place; and if there was a need to develop a wider range of policies to create a capacity for coordinated responses to potential problems.”
The minister indicated that she was aware of an operational debrief to identify any lessons to be learned and to inform the development of future policing operations and responses which has now been completed
Acting on this, An Garda Siochana and the Commissioner has “actioned a number of follow up actions, for example enhanced equipment has been provided to the Garda Public Order Unit, and increased strength incapacitant spray was issued in February 2024.”
“In addition, I understand that 600 round shields have been procured and provided to public order units,” while “three new public order vans have been commissioned and work is ongoing on a business case to procure two water cannons. Garda management are also considering any further actions deemed necessary on foot of the debrief.”