The Policing Authority has today published the ninth in a series of reports on its assessment of policing performance by the Garda Síochána during the COVID-19 crisis, which was submitted to the Minister for Justice this week.

The report finds that overall there has been a comprehensive observance of the Level 5 restrictions by the public. The Authority engaged with organisations representing some of the businesses critically impacted by the restrictions and found them to be generally positive in terms of the approach taken by the Garda Síochána to inspection and enforcement of the regulations. Visible and consistent enforcement by the Garda Síochána, when necessary, is regarded as important for the credibility of the efforts being made by businesses to operate within the restrictions.

Policing Authority Chairperson, Bob Collins commented:

“From the outset of this public health crisis, the Garda Síochána has been called on to assume a role that touches on very many aspects of the lives of all who live in this state. It has taken an extraordinary effort to organise and deploy the level of resources that have been assigned to this work. All elements of this response make their own contribution to the overall outcome that is desired, but some will have longer lasting significance than others. In terms of safety and social impact, the echoes of the work on sexual crime, on domestic violence and on community engagement will resound for a very long time.”

The next meeting in public between the Garda Commissioner and the Policing Authority will take place on Wednesday 25 November 2020 and will be live-streamed on the Authority’s website.