The Policing Authority has again criticised the use by gardaí of anti-spit hoods and reiterated its opposition to them. In its latest report on Covid-19 policing published today, it also says their use on "vulnerable individuals" is of concern and it particularly opposes their use on children.
192 incidents of spitting or coughing at gardaí have been recorded since April, 48 of them since the authority's last report in July.
While anti-spit hoods have not been used on children since July, they have been used since April on people with perceived mental health issues.
The authority says that while the welfare of gardaí is a priority for the authority, there has been no evidence presented that anti-spit hoods provide effective protection for