Garda sergeants and inspectors have called on Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy to allow some uniformed officers carry firearms in response to what they say is rising gun crime.
It would be the first time in the history of the force that uniformed gardaí would carry guns on routine patrols in marked Garda cars.
The force’s middle management now want the Regional Support Units (RSUs) operating in Garda divisions around the country to be permanently armed, rather than only arming themselves when called to the scene of a dangerous incident.
Delegates at the annual conference in Galway of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (Agsi) have passed a motion that will now see the association’s national executive lobby Mr Murphy on the issue.
The motion requesting that RSU members be permanently armed was passed despite opposition from the executive, which asked for the matter to be withdrawn from conference.
Sgt Rory O’Dwyer, who is a member of the RSU based in Cork, said when called to an armed incident he and his colleagues must first quickly change into uniforms that clearly show they are armed.
They must then access a locked compartment in their vehicles, take out their guns, ready the weapons and then make their way to the scene.
Sgt O’Dwyer told delegates that the procedure delays the units’ response time and means in some cases unarmed uniformed officers are arriving first to the scene of armed sieges and other similar dangerous events.
This was unsafe. The units’ rapid response capabilities would be enhanced by members carrying their weapons at the ready all the time as they patrol.
“It cannot be regard as best international practice to be loading and breeching firearms in public places in full view of men, women and children,” he told delegates at the closing session yesterday of Agsi’s conference.
Sgt Blaithin Moran from the Westmeath division said the practice of RSU members locking their weapons and ammunition in secure boxes in their vehicles was unsafe.
“If an incident occurs when on patrol and they are attacked, all they have to defend themselves is a pepper spray and a baton,” she told delegates.
There are two RSUs, one in the eastern region and one in the southern region, covering Cork and Limerick cities. They have around 60 members combined. Three further units are planned.
Agsi general secretary Joe Dirwan told delegates because the units were still in their infancy it would be unwise to changed their armed status at this stage. He said permanently arming uniformed gardai would be a major development for the force.
“More importantly, it adds to the further blurring of the line with the public as to who is armed and who is not.”
Mr Murphy said for as long as he was leading the force no uniformed gardai, including RSU members, would be permanently armed.
“I already have (armed plain clothes) detectives and I have the facility of the Regional Support Unit to change into combat gear to ensure that they deal with the problems they are addressing.”