by Andrew Carey
andrew@limerickpost.ie
“AN ATTACK on front line emergency workers is also an attack on the community and people they are working to help and protect”, according to Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Justice, Deputy Niall Collins who has renewed calls for legislation to be enacted to protect frontline emergency staff.
Deputy Collins renewed his call this week when firefighters were attacked by a group of thugs after being lured to a blaze that was deliberately set at the base of a CCTV camera pole in a Limerick city housing estate on Tuesday night.
Gardaà are investigating the incident at St Munchin’s Street on Kings Island where roof slates, timber blocks, rocks and bottles were thrown at firefighters dealing with two incidents where rubbish was deliberately set alight.
Two units from Limerick City Fire and Rescue Service were dispatched to St Munchin’s Street following reports of a fire a report of a fire under a community CCTV monitoring pole near a house that was extensively damaged by fire on Christmas Eve.
Firefighters dealt with the initial blaze, but crews came under attack from a group of thugs who damaged one of the fire trucks. None of the firefighters were injured in the incident.
Fire crews had to return less than an hour later as another fire had been set at the same location but no further incidents were reported as the second blaze was extinguished.
There were renewed calls for emergency responders to be protected by law after Limerick firefighters were attacked over the Halloween weekend.
Limerick’s Deputy Collins, who is the party’s spokesman on Justice, called on the Government to protect emergency workers with specific legislation making it an offence to attack emergency personnel on duty.
This Wednesday, Deputy Collins renewed that appeal.
“An attack on front line emergency workers is also an attack on the community and people they are working to help and protect”.
“It has been clear to me for quite some time that we do not have strong enough legislation in place to protect fire officers, Gardai, ambulance paramedics and other emergency personnel.
“There have been many serious and unacceptable incidents in recent years and I believe this should be stipulated in law and carry a severe penalty.
“I don’t share the Government’s view that emergency personnel don’t need or deserve special recognition. Such is the importance of their work and the risks they take that I believe we should match their commitment with our protection and respect in law.
Fianna Fáil produced The Assault on Emergency Workers Bill three years ago and Deputy Collins says “there is no sensible reason why this has been allowed to languish on the Dáil Order Paper”.
Condemnation of Tuesday night’s incident flowed on social media with several posts describing the behaviour of those responsible as disgusting, while others echoed the views calling for arrests and prosecutions.
