The Garda authorities have remained silent on the accusation that they are exposing members of the force to unnecessary danger, by sending them out on foot patrol alone at night. Attacks on individual gardai are increasing, but gardai are being forced to patrol alone "to give the public the impression of adequate policing", according to an editorial in Garda Review, the magazine of the Garda Representative Association.
Seven officers were hospitalised in one week alone as a result of assaults made on them while on duty, the editorial said.
"One must question the wisdom of some people in positions of authority in the Garda Siochana, who insist that members should not double up on beats, but rather remain alone and isolated in order to give the public the impression of adequate policing.
"There should be an insistence that members, especially those on night duty, are accompanied at all times. This is the very least that could be expected and while it may not halt the spiralling number of attacks on members of the force, it might at least give the Garda Siochana a better chance when confronted with such violence on our streets".
The editorial said there was a need for "resources and funding so that a viable, not a deceptive, police presence can be maintained".
The Garda Press Office at Garda Headquarters in Dublin said the force's senior management was aware of the editorial, but was not issuing a response.