Gunbelievable

Fears no armed cop cover for 4hr period over roster move

- PAUL HEALY

• Management see GRA talks impasse as part of the problem

THERE will soon be no armed garda cover across most of Ireland for a four-hour period every morning, it is feared. 

The Irish Mirror has learned of serious concerns among rank-and-file gardai that there will be no armed support from 4am and 8am nearly everywhere except Dublin – under the return of the controversial old roster system in November.

One source said the issue will be a massive challenge – especially in border areas, where incidents routinely happen in the early hours of the morning.

They said: “It leaves a huge hole. Under that roster armed detectives and the Regional Support Units will be on until 4am and won’t come back on until 8am. For example near the border there have been issues with organised crime gangs who previously were willing to rob ATMs while these armed units were on duty, so you can’t imagine what it will be like when they’re not.

“Unarmed gardai are all that will stand against these gangs during these hours. It’s not on.” Another source said: “The only place that might get armed cover quickly is Dublin. If there’s an incident anywhere else during these hours, there’s no armed officers available.