Inspector blames guns withdrawal for garda death

Garda Adrian Donohoe might still be alive if sub-machine guns had not been withdrawn from general use within the Garda force.

Members of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) heard the claim at their annual conference yesterday and called on Garda management to replace handguns given to detectives with machine-guns.

Uzi machine-guns, capable of firing up to 700 rounds a minute, were withdrawn from use and detectives were instead issued with German-made Sig-Saeur (Sig) pistols which have less capability.