'A different form of disorder' - Gardaí to be issued with tasers in wake of Dublin riots

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said all members of the Garda Public Order Unit will be issued with tasers, stronger defensive sprays and more personal safety equipment in the coming months.

Two water cannons will also be acquired by the Gardaí along with body cameras in 2024 that will be deployed in conjunction with a code of practice, developed in line with the digital recording bill.

Speaking to the Oireachtas Committee on Justice last week Commissioner Harris said changes have already begun to operational policing following the Dublin riots last week.

Commissioner Harris also said that more public order Gardaí will be trained and in addition to public order units, they will to remain in Dublin city centre over Christmas.

In the wake of the riots, Gardaí have sought amendments to the legislation to give them access to CCTV audio in order for them to advance incitement crimes and are considering bringing the thousands of hours off CCTV footage captured during the riots to another jurisdiction to use Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) to identify suspects.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has agrees to the Commissioner's request to fast-track facial recognition and object technology for certain crimes, including serious public order incidents.

The Commissioner also said that it's clear Gardaí are facing a different form of public disorder and must evolve their tactics to address it.

At least 38 people have been arrested since last Thursday and another 50 have been separately arrested following anti-immigrant protests in the capital. 

Investigations into the stabbing attack and the online agitators is currently ongoing.