Use of Force: Law and Practice is the first Irish legal textbook dedicated to examining the legal rules regulating the permissible use of force by An Gardaí Síochána (the Irish police).
The use of force by Gardaí on a citizen is one of the most primitive methods to achieve compliance with the law. However such use of force by Gardaí on the citizens of the State has the potential to erode public confidence in the police service and can be controversial depending on the circumstances employed. Use of such force can create many legal, moral and social dilemmas especially when the law lacks the requisite clarity for its permissible use.
This book explores the legal rules that regulate and restrict the use of force by An Gardaí Síochána within the context of general policing in Ireland. Use of Force: Law and Practice also explores the international dimension of ‘use of force’ powers and the regulatory impact on them.