EDUCATING GARDAÍ to the low risk of contracting Hepatitis C or HIV through contact with saliva, could reduce the stress caused to members of the force, a judge said yesterday.
Ms Justice Mary Irvine, one of a number of High Court judges who deal with a weekly list of compensation claims by gardaí, said everything possible should be done to reduce the level of fear.
She said there were many cases now being brought by gardaí who were concerned they may have contracted a very significant disease. The judge said the suffering of gardaí, whose perception of becoming infected was high, could be greatly reduced through medical reassurance and counselling.
The judge said it was accepted that it was highly unlikely one could contract Hepatitis C or HIV through saliva. Fears could be lessened, she said, with the proper education as to the low level of risk involved. She was commenting following a number of cases in which current and former gardaí told the court they had spent sleepless nights for months before receiving the all-clear from blood tests.
Garda Sean Greene, of Glasmaol, Sea Road, Kilcoole, Co Wicklow, was awarded €14,000 damages for post-traumatic stress after a drug user spat blood and saliva into his eye during an arrest.
Garda Greene told Cindy Farrell, counsel for the State, that he had not used the services of the Garda Welfare Officer. Although his attacker had agreed to giving a blood sample after the incident he had not been immediately informed of the result of that test by the Garda authorities.
Garda Thomas Griffin, Pinecroft, Grange, Douglas, Co Cork, who suffered post-traumatic stress after a drug user had scratched his eye and face during an arrest, was awarded €13,500 damages. Garda Trevor Shore, Ballyroan Road, Abbeyleix, Co Laois, was awarded €10,000 for post-traumatic stress. He told the court he had suffered scratches to his face from a woman who had assaulted him while he was transferring her to a cell. He had also suffered an injury to his knee and a finger.
Garda Paul Dunphy, of Drumkeen, Innishannon, Co Cork, who had received 32 stitches after an arrest, was awarded € 25,000 damages. He said he had been injured by glass as he held on to a drink driving suspect who had broken a window to try and escape arrest.