Concerns over lack of training as half of gardaí can't give chase or use siren

More than half of all front-line gardaí are not qualified to drive with flashing blue lights and cannot respond to emergency call-outs.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) raised concerns around the lack of basic training, claiming it is having “enormous knock-on implications” on how gardaí carry out their job.

The lack of CBD level 2 training was highlighted in 2016 when it was revealed that the garda driving the first patrol car to respond to the gangland shooting at Dublin’s Regency Hotel was not qualified to drive either at speed or with his siren or blue lights on.