‘Resources, not new law, needed to battle crime’

More resources, not more laws, are what is needed to combat the threat posed by serious armed criminals, according to a former top detective inspector.

Brian Sherry said the Government should stop “dismantling” the force and instead ensure it had the staff and resources to do its job.

He said gardaí faced the threat of being killed every day and many detectives tasked with confronting armed criminals have had their firearms withdrawn or have to share them with colleagues.