Six Nations organisers have confirmed that Wales lock Bradley Davies has been cited for the tip tackle that saw him sin-binned in Sunday's win in Dublin .
The Cardiff Blues man faces a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.
Davies upended Ireland's Donnacha Ryan in the 65th minute, earning a yellow card from ref Wayne Barnes, but Gatland admits he should have been sent off.
"I think there's intent and if you look at that and ask me, there's definitely an intent in there," said Gatland.
"So I wouldn't argue with the decision of that being given a red card."
Italian citing commissioner Achille Reali had until 1700 GMT on Tuesday to confirm a citing.
Reali also cited Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris following his sin-binning in the wake of the tip tackle on Wales lock Ian Evans that gave Leigh Halfpenny the chance to kick Wales' last-minute winning penalty.
Gatland has told 25-year-old second row forward Davies, who was also yellow carded in Wales' 2011 Six Nations win in Scotland, that he needs to be more disciplined at Test level.
"It's not local club rugby, where you get away with those things," said Gatland.
"We've got the very best referees in the world. You've got to keep your head.
"You can't get caught up in the moment and have ill discipline, because that does cost you.
"Our staff in the box who had a look at it thought it should have been a red card. It should have been a red card."
Davies's challenge had echoes of the World Cup semi-final defeat by France when captain Sam Warburton served a three-week ban after being sent off.
Now Davies is in danger of missing at least Wales' clash against Scotland at the Millennium Stadium this Sunday (12 February, 1500 GMT).
And Gatland admits that Davies's tackle was worse than the one open-side flanker Warburton inflicted on France wing Vincent Clerc in Auckland.
"The yellow card was a bit disappointing," said Gatland. "We said to the players afterwards 'just stop hurting ourselves by giving away stupid penalties or stupid yellow cards. You just can't keep doing it to yourselves.'
"I thought the one in the World Cup wasn't intent. That was the difference in terms of the interpretation of the law."
Warburton suffered a dead leg in Dublin and was forced off at half-time, so Gatland now has a potential selection headache as he potentially could be without five back-five players for Sunday's visit of Scotland.
Davies could be banned, while flankers Warburton and Dan Lydiate (ankle) are injury doubts and locks Alun Wyn Jones (toe) and Luke Charteris (wrist) are also out.
"We have to potentially prepare for the worst," said Gatland.
"Lou Reed is with us at the moment, Ryan Jones can move into the second row as we expect Dan Lydiate to be fit next week and we understand Alun Wyn Jones isn't too far away."
