John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I compliment Senator Gallagher on bringing this forward. Some of the statistics he has given are very revealing. Considering the way society has developed in terms of respect for human life in general but particularly for those who are trying to protect the public, I think they need enhanced protections at the moment. I have in mind a particular case a number of years ago. Garda Robert McCallion was serving in the force in Donegal. He was rammed by somebody who was subsequently caught and charged. I know the family very well and they had another member in the force, Garda John McCallion, who was a community liaison officer and who died recently as well from natural causes. In the case of Garda Robert McCallion, what was heartbreaking for the family in the subsequent court case was that the jury deciding on the sentence was instructed by the judge not to take into account the fact that the victim was in a Garda uniform; they were to regard him as a member of the public rather than a member of the Garda. I do not want to make any comment on the judgment. All I am saying is that there is need for further protections for our emergency services in this society in 2019. Our party will be very supportive of this Bill.