Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has urged the Irish Government to give officers stronger legal protection when pursuing suspected criminals, arguing that the risk of prosecution discourages gardaí from acting. The issue has gained urgency after a fatal crash on the M9, where suspected car thieves allegedly used wrong-way motorway driving to evade capture; critics say current law and policing arrangements do not adequately deter such tactics.

Kelly said cases against officers can take a long time through the courts before ending in dismissal or acquittal, creating a “chilling effect” across the force. Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy said gardaí also lack pursuit-tactics training and has sought a Justice Committee hearing on 15 September, while the Department of Justice said proposed legislation would address prosecutions, or fears of prosecution, for dangerous driving during appropriate pursuits.