The use of spit hoods by the Garda has increased almost 70 per cent in the past week, according to new figures on the force’s enforcement of Covid-19 restrictions. There were also a further 53 incidents of enforcement of the emergency movement restrictions last week – a 38 per cent increase on the total number. This was out of “the hundreds and thousands of interactions” with the public, the Garda said. Gardaí have also made arrests or initiated prosecutions in 1,432 incidents where non-Covid-19 offences were detected in the course of public health enforcement, up from 1,172 the previous week. They have used spit hoods – wire and mesh face coverings which are secured over prisoners’ heads – 47 times, including 19 times in the past week.

Source: The Irish Times May 12, 2020 16:36 UTC