Frontline gardaí to begin wearing body cameras in Dublin

Frontline gardaí will begin wearing body cameras from today.

Some 350 members of the force from three garda stations in the capital will start using the technology on a pilot basis ahead of a planned roll out across the country next year.

These cameras will be worn on a garda’s chest, and flash red when they are turned on.

Gardaí will not have to tell members of the public when they are in use but will be encouraged to do so as best practice where possible.

The footage gathered would not be accessible until the cameras are put into a docking station – from where it would be transferred to a central storage facility.

They can only be switched on when members are using their garda powers.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said this technology is part of her plan to ensure An Garda Síochana is a modern police service fit for the digital age.

She added it is not right that gardaí are being sent into situations where they are the only ones who are not able to record what is happening.

They will be used in Pearse Street, Store Street and Kevin Street stations in Dublin from today.

The roll out will continue to Limerick and Waterford later this year, with plans to eventually have the body cams available to gardaí in all parts of the country.

The law does not allow for facial recognition technology, but legislation to enable this is being examined by the Oireachtas.

Though the Government plans to introduce it, the Committee on Justice has heard concerns from the Irish Council for Civil liberties and others who said such technology runs the risk of gender and racial biases.