Aontú leader and Meath West TD, Peadar Tóibín, has submitted a new Bill to the Dail that if enacted will provide for a minimum custodial sentence for those who physically assault a Garda or Health and Emergency Service worker.
The Bill we be tabled at first stage today and the local TD says that 2,411 Gardaí have been assaulted while on active duty over the last 10 years. Deputy Tobin pointed out how unacceptable it is that hundreds of Gardaí going about their service to the community are assaulted.
He said it is a "terrifying scenario" for both the Gardaí and their families. Deputy Tobin added that the Government must take steps to protect Gardaí while they are serving our community. "The Aontú Bill provides on summary conviction a six months custodial imprisonment sentence or on conviction on indictment a two years imprisonment.
"We are also aware of a significant level of assaults being carried out or ordinary citizens many of which are severe and go without a custodial sentence. We are researching the best way to deal with this at the moment in terms of the application of a minimum custodial sentence for these types of crimes," Deputy Tobin said.
