Gardaí must be afforded all supports in frontline COVID battle – Buttimer 13th March 2021 - Senator Jerry Buttimer Gardaí must continue to be afforded all supports possible in their role on the Covid frontline in the wake of GSOC complaint figures, a Fine Gael Senator has said.
Senator Jerry Buttimer said: “New figures released to me show there were 450 complaints in which Covid and/or aspects of the enforcement of Covid public health measures were recorded by GSOC between the start of the pandemic and 8 March 2021.
“The figures were sent by Justice Mary Ellen Ring to the Oireachtas Public Petitions Committee. The most common themes in these complaints are the alleged failure of Garda members to wear PPE in their dealings with the public, and the restrictions on movement of persons across the State including checkpoint activity and interpretations of what constitutes ‘essential’ travel.