Conroy defends gardaí in fatal Lusk operation

Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy has mounted a strong defence of the gardaí who killed two post office raiders in Lusk, Co Dublin, last week.

Thirty-three-year-old Colm Griffin and 24-year-old Eric Hopkins, both from Dublin's north inner city, were shot dead by gardaí who were lying in wait for them when they tried to rob the local post office.

Another three suspected raiders were arrested after the incident.

The gardaí have insisted they only opened fire after the pair ignored orders to put down their weapons, but it has emerged that Mr Griffin was the only raider in possession of a firearm.

An internal garda investigation has been mounted, but many groups, including Amnesty International, have demanded the establishment of an independent inquiry.

Speaking about the matter this morning, Mr Conroy said he regretted the loss of life, but had no regrets about the garda actions.

"Criminals can expect, if they continue to go about committing crime with firearms, that the Gardaí will react to ensure that public safety is our number one priority," he said.