Revenue staff experienced alarming incidents last year, including vehicles driven at them at high speed, sinister social media messages, and one officer whose car was vandalised at their residence.
These threats were among over 100 accidents and incidents documented by the Revenue Commissioners in the past year that involved employees.
In one “near miss” incident at Dublin Port last September, a driver accelerated towards a customs officer. Also in September, a vehicle fled a checkpoint in Dundalk, exhibiting similar dangerous driving.
In March 2024, a Revenue officer’s car was vandalized at their home, an act suspected to be related to their professional duties.
Another instance of intimidation occurred in April of the previous year when an official discovered a Facebook post with a seemingly innocent ‘Happy Birthday’ message, interpreted as a subtle threat.
Other anti-social behaviors included the harassment of a security guard by a member of the public and a “confrontation” at Dublin Port involving Revenue officers and passengers related to cannabis possession.
Additional reported incidents involved a break-in to a dog detector van and a “dog van [that] hit a skip.”
Revenue also recorded several dozen accidents, including an acid spill in Cork, an officer falling from a ladder, and another employee being struck by a gate.
A Revenue spokeswoman stated the organization’s unwavering commitment to the safety, health, and welfare of all its employees and those they interact with.
She explained: “Our safety management system incorporates the identification of hazards, an assessment of the associated risks, mitigation measures for eliminating or reducing the risks, as well as a method to monitor and review procedures.”
“Revenue strives to ensure the provision and maintenance of a safe and healthy working environment in all of its workplaces.”
