Garda chief says catching armed criminals is top priority

Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy has identified the apprehension of criminals who carry weapons as the number one priority for members of the force.

Mr Conroy told the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors last night that armed criminals would not be tolerated or allowed to flourish in Irish society.

He admitted that gardaí will not be able to completely eradicate gun crime, but said all available resources would be deployed to catch armed criminals in possession of guns and take them out of circulation.