AGSI backs proposals on handling of armed standoffs

The representative body for senior gardaí has called for recommendations that have arisen out of the John Carthy siege at Abbeylara to be implemented without delay.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) said it concurred with a host of recommendations made by the Garda Inspectorate on Tuesday.

The inspectorate's findings were described by the AGSI as an "eminently sensible and practical report which is full of common-sense recommendations".

The inspectorate examined the changes made by the Garda as a result of the Barr report which outlined a series of errors that led to the shooting dead of Mr Carthy in April 2000.

The inspectorate made 84 suggestions to deal with siege-type situations similar to that which happened in Abbeylara.

It recommended that more gardaí be given training to deal with armed situations, that each area should have fully trained commanders and a local response unit separate to the Emergency Response Unit (ERU).

It also advocated the use of anti-stab and ballistic vests, electro-shock guns, self-defence spray and a new digital radio system for rank-and-file members of the force.

AGSI general secretary Joe Dirwan said: "We have been looking for these provisions since 2001. We were told the digital radio system won't be available until next year and the contracts were supposed to be signed this year.

"The policing environment is changing. There has to be a strict policy with how you deal with potentially armed situations. The days of a garda turning up with a revolver, a bullet-proof vest and a family saloon to deal with an armed situation are over. We need dedicated, trained, armed personnel who are available 24/7 to deal with such situations."

The AGSI said it also supported criticisms made by Kathleen O'Toole, the head of the inspectorate, relating to the selection of scene commanders.

She described the process as "insufficiently robust". There were no definitive criteria, she said, as to who takes charge at the scene of a barricade incident and also no demand that those in charge undergo the five-day on-scene commander course introduced after the Barr report.

Mr Dirwan said: "All these matters should be in place, as should the report's call for the actual scene commanders to be selected only from those who have successfully completed the course."

He also called for the inspectorate to monitor the implementation of the changes it has recommended. Assistant Garda Commissioner Nacie Rice has already been appointed by the Garda Commissioner, Noel Conroy, to chair an expert group in this regard.

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