Cabinet set to approve ban on face coverings at protests
The Cabinet is set to approve new legislation that will allow a garda to request someone wearing a face covering to remove it in certain circumstances.
If the request is met by a refusal, the individual would be committing a criminal offence and could be arrested and prosecuted.
Advertisement
The move would be a slight change to current laws in a situation where officers suspect masks are being worn to prevent identification in a potential offence.
It would also allow gardaí to seize the masks or coverings.
The proposed legislation is being brought to Cabinet for approval on Tuesday by Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan. It was initially designed to tackle far-right protesters but will extend much further and gives gardaí a wide-ranging power based on their judgment.
Ireland
Businesses left frustrated as immigration protesto...
Read More
However, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties said it was 'deeply concerned by the Government's plan to criminalise the wearing of face coverings'. It said people may want to wear face coverings for medical or religious reasons or to protect their privacy.
Advertisement
The new power could also be applied to street crime, especially that being witnessed in Dublin.
Garda sources told
The Irish Times
that many of those crimes – including road traffic offences on scooters and motorbikes, as well as assaults and thefts – are perpetrated by young offenders wearing face coverings.
If approved by Cabinet, the general scheme of the legislation will be published followed by a pre-legislative scrutiny process. It is envisaged the legislation could be enacted as early as October.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
19 minutes ago
- The Sun
Win a copy of A Novel Murder by E.C. Nevin in this week's Fabulous book competition terms and conditions
T&CS Open to United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland residents aged 18 or over only, except employees of the Promoter, News Corp UK & Ireland Limited, and their associated, affiliated or subsidiary companies, their families, agents or any other person(s) connected with the competition, including third party promotional partners. Competition closes at 11.59pm on June 28, 2025 (the 'Closing Date'). Entries received after the Closing Date will not be counted. One entry per person. Bulk, automatically generated or third party entries are void. To enter you must click the 'click to enter' link on A Novel Murder page before the Closing Date. There will be 10 winners. The winners will be selected at random from all valid entries for this competition received before the Closing Date. Winners will be notified by email or phone or using the other contact details provided by the winner within fourteen days after the Closing Date. All reasonable endeavours will be made to contact the winner during the specified time. If a winner cannot be contacted or is not available, the Promoter reserves the right to re-draw another winner from the valid/correct entries that were received before the Closing Date. The prize is a copy of A Novel Murder in hardcover, paperback or e-book format, at the discretion of the Promoter. The prize is non-transferable and there are no cash alternatives to the prize in whole or in part. The promoter of this competition is News Group Newspapers Ltd (publishers of The Sun) (the 'Promoter'). General terms and conditions for competitions apply*. *GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COMPETITIONS These terms and conditions apply to all competitions (unless and to the extent that) the competition states otherwise. The winner is responsible for ensuring they are able to accept the prize as set out and in accordance with these terms and conditions, in the event they are unable to do so then the Promoter reserves the right to redraw the prize. Entry is free but entrants should be aware that they may be subject to data charges depending on their own individual arrangements for Internet access if entry is online or by email. An eligible entrant must be an individual, must enter on their own behalf, and must submit an entry in the form requested by the Promoter under this promotion including their name, address and e-mail address. By entering, all eligible entrants agree to abide by each and all these terms and conditions. Misrepresentative or fraudulent entries will invalidate an entry. Where a competition involves a voting process: offering or receiving any incentive for voting is not permitted and will invalidate the vote, and may disqualify the recipient of the vote. The Promoter reserves the right, with or without cause, to exclude entrants and withhold prizes for violating any of these terms and conditions. The Promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions. Any amendments will be published on the Promoter's website (the 'Website'). The Promoter reserves the right to publish entries (including parts of entries) other than the winning entry and publication does not necessarily mean the entrant has won a prize. Entrants will retain copyright in their submitted entries, however, by entering, all entrants licence the Promoter a worldwide royalty-free perpetual licence to edit, publish and use each entry in any and all media (including print and online) for publicity and news purposes. The Promoter reserves the right to publish entries (including parts of entries) although publication does not necessarily mean the entrant has won a prize. There is no cash or other alternative to the prize stated and the prize is not transferable and no part or parts of the prize may be substituted for other benefits, items or additions. Winners may be required to submit valid identification before receiving their prize. The Promoter's decision is final and binding on the entrants. No correspondence will be entered into. The Promoter will not be liable for technical, hardware, or software failures of any kind or lost or unavailable network connections that may limit or prohibit an eligible entrant's ability to participate in the competition. Other than death or personal injury arising from the acts or omissions of the Promoter or its employees, the Promoter will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of the winner's (or their guest's) enjoyment of the prize. By entering, any subsequent prize winners agree to allow the free use of their names, photographs and general locations for publicity and news purposes during this and future promotions by the Promoter or any associated or subsidiary company of News Corp UK & Ireland Limited. Uses of personal data received by the Promoter in the course of the promotion are subject to the privacy policy found on the Website. Winners' names may be published on the Website. Completion and submission of a registration slip or e-mail will be deemed acceptance of these terms and conditions. The Promoter reserves the right at any time to cancel, modify or supersede the competition (including altering prizes) if, in our sole discretion, a competition is not capable of being conducted as specified. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal value in the event that circumstances beyond their control make this unavoidable. For a list of winners please send a stamped envelope to News UK, Competitions Department, 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF stating for which competition you would like winners' details. Competition rules published in publications of the Promoter (including social media if applicable) or on the Website form part of these rules.
BreakingNews.ie
23 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Two men due in court after shots fired at home in Limerick city
Two men are due in court on Monday charged in connection with a shooting in Limerick. Gardaí responded to reports of shots fired at a home and a disturbance in the Thomondgate area at 5am on Friday. Damage was caused to the outside wall of the building, and several shotgun casings were recovered. A sawn-off shotgun, ammunition and clothing were discovered in follow-up searches. Two men in their 30s were arrested and are due before Limerick District Court on Monday morning. Advertisement
BreakingNews.ie
41 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Garda vehicle numbers rise to more than 3,600 after force transformation
An Garda Síochána has the largest fleet of vehicles in its history as well as new technology systems following what has been described as the biggest ever shake-up to the force. Following a transformation process which started in 2018, an information-led policing approach has seen the issue of 15,000 mobility devices which minimise the time it takes to retrieve information. Advertisement Some 700 body-worn cameras are being piloted by officers while vehicle numbers have risen to 3,672 including new specialist vehicles such as two water cannon along with public order and community engagement vans. Transforming An Garda Síochána 2018-2024 was formally launched at the Innovation Centre, Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, on Monday. The Garda Emergency Response Unit and Regional Armed Support Units have received investment. Photo: Niall Carson/PA It was compiled to provide an organisational account of the implementation of A Policing Service For Our Future (APSFF) programme. It records the force's strength as of November 2024 as 14,054 Garda members, 3,689 Garda staff along with 319 Garda reserves. Advertisement Among the changes recorded include a new operating model rolled out across 21 divisions which has established four functional areas within each division. These are community engagement; performance assurance; crime; and business services functions, and is described as the biggest structural change in the history of the organisation. Meanwhile the organisation's latest Public Attitudes Survey records public trust in An Garda Síochána at 89 per cent. In the area of human rights, approximately 4,000 Garda personnel have become human rights champions having completed a University of Limerick accredited course in Policing and Human Rights Law in Ireland. Advertisement In terms of health and well-being support, a 24/7 independent helpline and counselling service has been established, as well as 17 full-time employee assistance officers, 1,164 peer supporters, and 3,500 personnel have received mental health first aid training. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Photo: PA Ireland Limerick Garda breaks silence after acquittal in '... Read More Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the report documents the transformation journey. 'It provides an opportunity to reflect on the work that has been done over these past seven years to bring about really meaningful change in our organisation. While we have made progress, there is more to do,' he said. 'And so, Garda Síochána will continue to adapt to the needs of the public and we remain committed to delivering a modern, community-focused policing service to the people of Ireland.' Advertisement
