Gardaí call for permanent armed officers on streets

GARDAÍ across the country want armed officers on the street on a permanent basis to combat an “increase in armed violence”.

The dramatic call will be made at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), which opens tonight in Galway.

Garda delegates from the south, west, midlands and east – representing the divisions of Cork West, Galway, Westmeath, Meath and Kildare – have come together in a joint motion.