Criminal Justice (Public Order) (Amendment) Bill 2019

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

The proposal would make assaults on emergency workers much tougher to punish, with a mandatory jail term for anyone convicted and a longer possible sentence in more serious cases. It also creates a new offence for deliberately ramming an emergency services vehicle, with similar minimum prison terms and the possibility of a much longer sentence for the worst cases. In plain terms, it is aimed at giving clearer and stronger protection to Gardaí, firefighters, ambulance crews, prison officers and Defence Forces members when they are doing their jobs.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to provide for a mandatory prison sentence in respect of an assault on a member of the emergency services; to provide for the introduction of an offence of ramming an emergency services vehicle and to provide for a mandatory prison sentence in respect of such an offence, and for that purpose to amend the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 28 March 2025