GARDAÍ ARE GOING to spend €150 million to expand the use of body-worn cameras nationwide following a trial in Dublin, Limerick and Waterford.

Body-worn cameras are video and audio-recording devices that can be attached to a garda’s clothing. The garda can choose to switch on the device if they want to record something.

Niall Hodgins, Garda Representative Association (GRA) president said the move is “good news” for An Garda Síochána and GRA members. 

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast this morning, he said the cameras “enhance the front line safety” for gardaí and provides “indisputable digital evidence”, which increases public trust by capturing interactions.

Hodgins said gardaí have noticed that when cameras are activated “there’s an instant de-escalation” of situations, and if the situation does escalate, the camera “captures the exact temperature of the event”.

“Whether it escalates or de-escalates, what we have then is an enhanced accountability of our members’ actions,” he said.

Hodgins said the move may also reduce the number of complaints lodged with garda watchdog Fiosrú.

He said the vast majority of the €150 million investment will be spent on a digital evidence management system which processes and stores the footage captured on the cameras.

Hodgins said there will be “strict controls” over the use of biometrics captured.

Body cams have been trialled in five garda stations: Store Street Station, Pearse Street Station and Kevin Street Station in Dublin city centre, as well as Henry Street Station in Limerick city and Waterford Garda Station.