Emergency workers in fear after spate of attacks
By Mary Regan
12 June 2006
EMERGENCY response workers are living in fear of their lives it was claimed yesterday, with almost 80 physical attacks on firefighters and ambulance drivers so far this year.
In some cases, the attacks were reportedly “well planned and orchestrated”. Fire and ambulance services said they have been called to false emergencies at cul de sacs only to find a group of men waiting there to ambush them.
They are seeking tougher laws that would make it a specific crime to attack one of their members while on duty.
The calls were made as a Dublin fireman faces emergency plastic surgery on his face after being attacked in Fairview on Friday night.
Jonathan Forde, a firefighter for four years, was a passenger in a fire engine when a man stopped in front of the vehicle and threw a bottle through an open window, just before midnight.
It hit him in the face, causing serious injuries, and he was rushed to the Mater Hospital where he received 35 stitches.
He was released on Saturday afternoon and is awaiting plastic surgery on Wednesday.
Last Monday, a man threw a missile at a fire tender and when firefighters got out to hold him, a large group of people emerged from a nearby flat, forcing them to let go of the culprit and flee the scene.
Chairman of the National Firefighters Committee and SIPTU representative Brian Murray said: “These attacks are increasing and they are becoming more savage. And they are certainly not confined to Dublin.”
He said: “Legislation is being introduced at the moment in Britain as a result of more attacks emerging. We would like to see similar legislation here so that these assaults are dealt with more severely and individuals found guilty would be treated severely by the courts.”
Gardaí are still appealing for witnesses to the attack on Mr Forde on Friday night. It took place near Croke Park where concert-goers were still hanging about after the Robbie Williams gig and gardaí believe a large number of witnesses can help them.
Mr Murray said: “We find ourselves assisting the public all the time and on this occasion we would like to see them assisting us.”
He urged witnesses to contact Clontarf gardaí on 01-6664800.
Mr Murray also criticised the Government for not monitoring the number of attacks or keeping records.
He said: “There seems to be a school of thought that these figures shouldn’t be published as they might encourage more attacks, but we would not concur with that.”
He said that while gardaí are covered for any injuries caused to them through the Garda Compensation Scheme, there is nothing in place to protect ambulance and fire engine drivers.
“We would have to sue our employers for negligence if we were to get any compensation for what happened us,” he said.
