Armed criminals were warned yesterday that gardaí would take all measures necessary to protect public safety following the shooting dead of two post office raiders at Lusk, Co Dublin, last Thursday.
Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy said "criminals can expect if they continue to go about committing crimes with firearms that gardaí will react to ensure that public safety is our number one priority".
At the launch of a survey on drink-driving, he expressed regret for any loss of life be it "criminals, innocent people or gardaí".
"But you realise that when people go out with arms to carry out a robbery they are serious about it."
Gardaí have said Colm Griffin (33) was pointing a gun at a garda when he was shot, and that the second raider, Eric Hopkins (24), was rushing at an officer. An inquiry has been set up into the shooting.
A third man was arrested and charged with attempted robbery and possession of a firearm.
Gavin Farrelly (27), from Lower Sheriff Street, Dublin, is to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday.
Gardaí have renewed an appeal for information into the murder of James Kavanagh at Irishtown Road, Ringsend, Dublin, on May 31st last year. He was sitting in a car near the Irishtown House pub at about 11pm when he was approached by a man and stabbed.
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