Gardaí hire 210 vehicles to assist vulnerable people

By Amy Blaney
An Garda Síochána is in the process of hiring up to 210 Gardaí vehicles to provide additional mobility nationwide.
These ‘contingency’ vehicles will be used to maintain personal interactions and to assist and support people. This may include collecting medical prescriptions, attending hospital appointments and other supports they may need. They are not primary response vehicles.
Gardaí across the country are being asked to assist those most at need, particularly those with limited local family or social support.
Speaking today, Deputy Commissioner Twomey said “As a community at this time we need more than ever to support the most vulnerable in our society, particularly our elderly and isolated. An Garda Síochána has always worked closely with our communities and we continue to do so in these extraordinary times”.
An Garda Síochána will also use these opportunities to link identified people into local, national and state services where appropriate.
An Garda Síochána continue to urge communities to engage with people in line with social distancing guidelines.
A COVID-19 National Co-Ordination Unit has been established under Deputy Commissioner Twomey. This unit will co-ordinate a strategic Garda response to the coronavirus.