A conversation is needed between Garda management and representative associations about tattoos. That's the view of Monaghan Senator Robbie Gallagher, a former Garda, and Fianna Fail's current Justice Spokesperson in Seanad Eireann.
Speaking on this morning's Joe Finnegan Show - in the aftermath of three trainee Gardaí being sent home from Templemore last week because they were wearing tattoos - Senator Gallagher highlighted how the time has come for An Garda Síochána to move with the times and into the 21st century.
He said that all of this was happening amid the backdrop of a recruitment and retention crisis within the force and it was disappointing to see young people, who want to be members of the Force, being sent home because of tattoos,
Senator Gallagher says that the wearing of tattoos are "part and parcel" of young people's lives and it's time for society as a whole to accept that. "The reality is that many young people now do wear tattoos. "Unless that particular tattoo is very, very offensive or aggressive perhaps, then I feel that it should be acceptable.
"Unless it's very visible like the entire face is covered with tattoos or the hands has tattoos or there is a dragon or something offensive or perhaps potentially offensive on that tattoo. But I do think that by in large, the majority of tattoos don't fit into that bracket," he added.
