Gardaí look for life sentences for garda-killers

Rank and file gardaí are calling for the introduction of mandatory life sentences for anyone who kills a member of the Force.

The Garda Representative Association said there was "grave concern" at the number of officers, being "viciously assaulted" in the course of their work.

The members have used their annual conference to highlight the tragic case of Garda Robbie McCallion who died when he was knocked down while on duty in Co Donegal.

Jamie McGrenaghan was jailed for six years for dangerous driving after a jury cleared him of manslaughter.

President of the GRA Damien McCarthy called on the Justice Minister to look at introducing much stiffer penalties and said: "When a judge is charging a jury...an attack on any member of the Garda Siochána has to be treated differently".