Gardai are to set-up a full time public order unit in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The national unit will be tasked with the maintenance of law and order, dealing with public order incidents, emergency response and other key roles.
RTE reports that a total of 100 gardai will be on two rotating units on 12-hour-shifts.
Plans are in place to have all these units in operation by Wednesday afternoon.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris last week said gardai “do not fear” an outbreak of looting as panic buying sets in amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Commissioner Harris said: “The fear of looting should not arise, we have had no incidents yet, no sign of looting incidents, people have been calm and mannerly in their shopping, we are merely there to help with traffic flow and provide reassurance.
“Not that we have a fear of criminality but we are making sure we are maximising our resources.
“If we see an outbreak of criminality or organised crime groups taking advantage of the situation obviously then we will act.”
To cope with the increased strain on resources some 325 trainee gardai will be attested from Templemore without full training and brought to the frontline which Commissioner Harris admitted is “not perfect”.
The Commissioner said: “Obviously it’s not perfect, eight months is our requirement and if it’s less than that it has to be mitigated.
“We concentrate to make sure they have the necessary training to allow them to go out on the ground, but then we send them to a place where they are being provided with supports of a tutor Garda and make sure they aren’t being left on their own.
“And then at a later date they will return to Templemore to complete their training.”
