Call to provide detectives with proper firearms training

The chairman of the Cork County Joint Policing Committee (JPC) is contacting Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan urging her to provide detectives in Cork with proper firearms training and bullet-proof shields to defuse a row which could lead to the withdrawal in the region of round-the-clock armed cover.

As revealed by the Irish Examiner, more than 80 detectives in the Cork City Garda Division have informed Garda management that as of July 1 they will not provide 24/7 armed cover because in their view continuing to do so breeches the working time directive and health and safety legislation.

The issue was raised at a county council meeting by Cllr Frank O’Flynn, who is chairman of the Cork County (JPC).