AGSI says arming gardaí would be 'step too far' as Varadkar says he would support move

The general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) said a fully armed force would be a step too far for most AGSI colleagues

Asked if he thought the State needs an armed force, Leo Varadkar said he would say “yes” and not block a move to arm Gardaí if asked to do so by Commissioner Drew Harris. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Fully arming An Garda Siochána would be a “step too far” for most force members and it not in keeping with the ethos of the force, the representative group for mid-ranking officers has said.

Antoinette Cunningham, general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors was responding to comments from incoming Taoiseach and current Tánaiste Leo Varadkar that he would support arming officers.