The Policing Authority has said it is worried that new anti-spit hoods issued to gardaí could be used on children aged over 12.
Garda Headquarters has ordered 16,000 such hoods, which cover the entire face of the detainee and stops them spitting at, coughing on or biting officers.
However, in a report to the Minister for Justice on how gardaí are policing the current crisis, the authority said it is concerned about their use and views their introduction "with some considerable reluctance." Chairman Bob Collins said the authority is worried that Garda procedure states only that the hoods are not to be used on children under 12 and is "silent" on their use on children aged 12-18.