Bulletproof

Commissioner Murphy has 'shot down'  ASGIs (Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors) request to have armed Gardai 24/7.  The Commissioner has always maintained that An Garda Siochana will remain an unarmed police force for as long as he is Commissioner. ASGI want Regional Support Units (RSU) armed around the clock on a full time basis to counteract increase in armed violence ("health and safety considerations for all members") . They made their feelings known at an annual conference (while some would say the annual 'shin dig knees up').  Held over three days in the Radisson Hotel in Galway.  At present, they stay in uniform patrol until called to a serious/critical incident, then change into 'tactical dress' and whip out weapons from the boot of their vehicle, into RSU mode.

However, it was just a while ago that Joe Dirwan General Secretary ASGI voiced concern over the whole RSU project!!!  At the time he said of the new system "blurs the traditional ethos of the unarmed, uniformed gardaí, which has served this country so well",  but they then agreed to partake in the pilot programme. 

I think this guy sums it up eloquently.... just what I was about to say..

Get Real Lads..

..."Most members of the public who take pride in the Garda Siochana as their protectors will have looked on aghast at officers living it up in the Galway Radisson.
How can anybody take you seriously when you stay in one of the top hotels in this country and continue to grumble about cuts?"...