Lack of proper training facility ‘beggars belief’

SERGEANTS and inspectors yesterday branded as “disgraceful” the absence of any firearms training facilities within the force.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) also accused Justice Minister Michael McDowell of “misleading” the public in relation to his recent announcement of a national digital radio system, and said the force might have to wait another four years for it.

Association president Paschal Feeney said Ireland had to be unique among police forces in the developed world for not having a dedicated firearms facility.

“It beggars belief that garda management allowed the use of the indoor firearms range at garda headquarters to continue until the range had to be closed down in December 2005 for health and safety reasons — and had no comparable indoor range immediately ready for use within the Dublin Metropolitan Region.”

He told delegates: “It also beggars belief that the once-proud Garda Síochána should be reduced to borrowing what are in some cases third-rate facilities from the Defence Forces which can, and are, withdrawn at a moment’s notice.”

He said the association had drawn the Tánaiste’s attention to the problem in January 2006.

“However, the situation has disimproved, if anything, and the number of Defence Forces ranges available to the gardaí has been reduced. There are now no facilities whatever for long-range firearms training.”

He said the minister had announced plans for a so-called “state-of-the-art” indoor firing range in the basement of the proposed new forensic science block at garda headquarters.

“From what we have learned of the plans this will be anything but ‘state-of-the-art’. There is no provision for ancillary classrooms or other relevant training facilities.”

Mr Feeney told the Tánaiste his recent announcement of a new national radio system — which gardaí had sought for more than 20 years — was only for a pilot system.

“Only when that pilot project has been analysed ... up, down and crossways will the green light be given for the national rollout.

“Therefore we must wait another three, probably four and possibly five years before the gardaí will have a radio system,” he said.