Frontline emergency crews subject to nearly 50 abusive attacks over two years
Ken Foxe
Firefighters and paramedics were subjected to 42 incidents of assault, verbal abuse, and antisocial behaviour in the space of two years.
The data, released by Dublin Fire Brigade, shows that frontline emergency crews faced repeated episodes of violence and aggression while on duty in 2023 and 2024.
It included physical attacks that resulted in bruising, abrasions, and open wounds.
A total of 17 incidents were recorded in 2023 and 25 last year, bringing the two-year total to 42.
The incidents were logged across the city and suburbs, in places including Finglas, Ballymun, Ballinteer, and Portobello, as well as at A&Es including the Mater, Connolly Hospital and Tallaght Hospital.
In 2023, at least nine of the incidents involved physical assaults.
One firefighter sustained an open wound during an altercation at Tallaght Hospital in April that year, while another suffered a similar injury in Donnycarney that same month.
The pattern continued in 2024, with a series of assaults recorded in Ballinteer, Amiens Street, and East Wall.
Several firefighters suffered bruising and grazes, while others reported being verbally abused or threatened while attending calls.
The records categorised each of the incidents under “violence and aggression,” the internal classification system for threats and abuse to staff.
Asked about the records, Dublin City Council declined to provide comment or further detail on the risks facing fire brigade personnel.
The FOI release showed that while some attacks resulted in injuries, others were logged as not applicable, meaning no injury was sustained.
Luke McCann, SIPTU staff representative for Dublin Fire Brigade, said: “Our employer, because of the work we do, needs to send us into dangerous situations and that’s part of our role.
“For the most part, our people are able to avoid risks and do their work, but sometimes, they can get unlucky and come across bad actors.
“It’s very difficult to stop. It’s the nature of the work we do, and we would always appeal to people to please let us do our job safely.”
