Photograph: iStockFrontline uniformed gardaí could be using Taser stun guns almost immediately under a proposal being brought to Government by Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan. The stun guns could be used in policing on the streets of Dublin, Waterford and Kilkenny over the Christmas period, if approved by Cabinet on Tuesday. It would be the first time that uniformed gardaí would be armed with Tasers and would mark a significant step for An Garda Síochána, whose frontline personnel are not armed. However, informed sources stressed there is no consideration being given to arming uniformed gardaí with firearms, like other police forces in Europe. Until now, the stun guns have only been used by the Garda’s specialist units, including the Emergency Response Unit and Armed Support Unit.
