29/04/2008

Debate On Arming Gardaí To Commence

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) annual conference is to debate the arming of uniformed garda officers on Tuesday.

The issue will be one of the most divisive on the meeting's agenda during the annual garda conference in Tullow, Co Carlow.

Currently members of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) are deployed to protect unarmed uniformed members. But Operation Anvil, which targets armed gangs, has seen a shift in the use of weapons by criminals. Following the recent shooting of an unarmed member of the Garda Traffic Corps, Garda Paul Sherlokc, during a botched post office robbery in Dublin last year, there have been growing calls to arm more uniformed officers as part of plans for new regional support units.

The 34-year-old was shot in the stomach from close range with a shotgun by one of the occupants of a stolen car he was pursuing at the time. He was unarmed.

The proposed units would be established to contain armed incidents pending the arrival at a crime scene of the ERU.

John Healy, GRA Deputy General Secretary, believes the attack of an unarmed officer marked a watershed for policing in the state.

“It is with great regret that we now have to consider the routine arming of uniformed gardai, but that is the reality of modern Ireland,” he said.

Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy and Justice Minister Brian Lenihan are preparing to address the conference.

(DW)


Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

19 November 2024
Neurodiversity In The Workplace Centre Stage At Entrepreneurs Conference
The topic of neurodiversity within the entrepreneurial journey and in the workplace will be just one of the many topics of discussion happening at a new conference happening in Belfast this month.
18 March 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.
28 July 2008
Half Of Garda Want Guns Says Survey
A recent survey has shown over half of gardaí believe uniformed officers should carry guns. The online survey by Garda Review magazine found 53% of those surveyed believed rank and file officers should now be issued with firearms.
23 March 2017
Minister Called To Re-Consider Opening Rush Garda Station
Fianna Fáil is calling on the Minister for Justice to consider re-opening Rush Garda Station. Senator and Seanad Spokesperson for Justice Clifford-Lee said: "Rush is a large and growing urban area with a surrounding rural hinterland. It is among the fastest-growing areas within the fastest growing constituency and county in Ireland.
12 October 2016
Justice And Equality Budget To Increase By €85m
The budget for the Justice and Equality sector is to be increased by €85 million, totalling €2.54 billion in 2017. Funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits in 2017 and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. A total of €71.