FORCE THE ISSUE

Under attack gardai plead for more resources

- SYLVIA POWNALL

A GARDA body has repeated its call for more resources after serving and retired members of the force hit out at the level of attacks on officers.

One serving garda and two retired officers spoke of the work pressures, dealing with assaults and the toll it took on their health and wellbeing.

It comes just days after a garda was hit in the face with a bottle as a mob surrounded officers coming to the aid of an elderly woman in Ballyfermot, Dublin.

Disturbing video footage of the incident was widely shared and it was roundly condemned by politicians and senior gardai.