The incoming president of the GRA has said that he would like to see body-worn cameras introduced for gardaí.

The annual conference of rank-and-file gardaí has heard from an expert from the UK, where they expect 56,000 body-worn cameras to be in use by the end of the year.

The cameras are seen as particularly useful for policing protests and domestic violence incidents.

Officers at the scene of one domestic incident said the footage gained was invaluable, the UK expert said.

The abusive husband was convicted of domestic abuse and was handed a ten-year sentence.

Stephen Goodier of Hampshire Constabulary, where all frontline officers use the devices – told the GRA conference of their usefulness.

“Body-worn video is that independent witness,” he said.

“So if I’m having an interaction, like we’re recording now, it’s undisputed about what we said.

“The camera provides that evidential integrity.”

Inspector Goodier went on to explain how it works.

“The screen lights up, you hear a double-beep and you see a red flashing light,” he said. “So it’s quite obvious.

“We qualify that by telling a member of the public.

“If someone is behaving in a way, drunk, night-time type incident … to remind the person that they are being recorded, they may want to just consider what they say to me.”

Two weeks ago, middle-ranking gardaí also called for the introduction of body worn cameras.

Incoming GRA president Ciaran O’Neill said his members would also welcome them.

“We would be needed a change in the legislation, but it certainly would be very beneficial,” he said.

“It would reduce the number of complaints about our members and it would actually show in court the real life.

“Because when we eventually do get people to court for public order incidents we see them wearing a suit, looking their best, looking the shiniest.

“And then when it’s [camera footage] before a judge, the judge can actually see – this is what happened on the street, this is reality and this is how our members are affected or assaulted.”