Call for increase in armed gardaí

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) is calling for more armed officers.

Delegates on the final day of the AGSI annual conference in Co Wexford will debate a motion this afternoon seeking an increase in the number of gardaí licensed to carry a firearm.

The association said that in every division, the level of officers trained to use weapons has dropped.

AGSI General Secretary Joe Dirwan said more powerful firearms, aside from handguns, are needed since the UZI submachine gun has been withdrawn from operational use.

"We believe that an alternative… should be made available to the gardaí," Mr Dirwan said.

"All members are now equipped with is a handgun, and that doesn't give the same long-range capabilities as the UZI did.

"It allows the criminal to get closer to the gardaí and maybe inflict fatal consequences as a result."