18/03/2008

Garda To Discuss Use Of Weapons

Garda are to consider the introduction of regionally-based armed response units due to the increase in the use of firearms by Ireland’s criminals.

The growth in criminal gangs throughout Ireland and their links with the increasingly widespread use of illegal firearms has prompted the AGSI (Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors) to discuss setting up an a permanent armed department of Garda at their annual conference this week.

Delegates are due to hear details of proposed armed Regional Response Units, staffed by uniformed officers, which could respond quickly to incidents involving guns.

The units would be used as a rapid response to gun related incidents pending the arrival of the specialised Emergency Response Unit.

The AGSI says it wants to hear if its members support the proposal or prefer the existing structure whereby only plain-clothes Gardai can carry firearms.

However, Garda Sergeants and Inspectors have recently stated their opposition to the idea, which forms part of the Commissioner’s current policing plan.

Middle-ranking gardaí say they want to continue the current policy that uniformed gardaí do not carry firearms and that no guns are carried in marked garda vehicles for fear of making the police targets to armed criminals and gangmembers.

More than 50 motions are to come before the annual conference, but the issue of arming specialist units will be among the first discussed.

(DW)

(DW)

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