Garda firearms training centre axed

[Grumpy Jack]

Anyone more concerned about this than some daft attempt to update a blasphemy law no one gives a damn about.

You've got to hand it to Dermot Ahern and the Justice spinners - they really managed to deflect attention from a few serious issues.

Garda centre axed over cutbacks

CONOR LALLY, Crime Correspondent, in Killarney

Plans to build a new Garda centre for training in firearms, advanced driving and dealing with armed crimes have been abandoned as part of recession-related spending cuts, it has emerged.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has said the force currently has no dedicated centre to train members in the use of firearms and to train specialist units like the Emergency Response Unit in tactical manoeuvres for serious armed incidents.

Delegates at the closing session of the GRA’s annual conference in Killarney, Co Kerry, were tonight told the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary, was effectively being completely closed for two years because of the Government’s decision not to recruit any trainee gardai until the State’s financial position improves.

The development of a long mooted new training facility close to the Templemore facility has been impacted by the mothballing of the college.

A 220-acre site at Clonmore close to Templemore was to be used for a firearms and tactical training facility. However, the €5.5 million site has not been used since it was purchased three years ago and plans to begin development have now been put on hold. This is despite increasing gun crime and gangland crime.

A centre at Templemore used to train gardai in tactics need for armed siege situations, hostage taking and foiling in-progress armed robberies was closed down in recent years.

An underground firing range in Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin, has also been closed because of safety concerns. It means gardaí who want to learn to fire weapons or take part in refresher training are depending on the goodwill of the Defence Forces, who have a number of firing ranges.

Garda centre axed over cutbacks - The Irish Times - Wed, Apr 29, 2009

Gun crime in Dublin and Limerick is on the rise so what does this government do? Banjax Garda firearms training.

Wonder what Ahern's response will be when a garda or civilian dies in an shoot-out with armed criminals due to inadequate weapons training?

[stewiegriffin]

Times are hard , why not share the armys facilities?

[Gruffalo]

Wonder what Ahern's response will be when a garda or civilian dies in an shoot-out with armed criminals due to inadequate weapons training?

He will send in Willie O'Dea.

[Factorem]

The gangland bosses will be clinking their tankards together on hearing this news.

[Gruffalo]

As if we could trust the useless spanners with guns.

[odie1kanobe]

How was it axed when it had not yet been built ?

[stewiegriffin]

And why not simply share with the Army?

[Grumpy Jack]

Times are hard , why not share the armys facilities?

Different types of training and facilities for different situations.

Army train for battlefield engagements.

Gardai need to train for tactical situations in streets and buildings where there is the likelihood of encountering civilians.

The Army Ranger Wing has a specialist tactical training facility at the Curragh but it is constantly in use so rangers are highly proficient in close quarters weapons use and intervention tactics.

The Garda Emergency Response Unit needs its own facility for similar training, as well as situations unique to policing.

If they share the same facility then both units will lose valuable training time.

The lack of a dedicated Garda firearms tactical training centre is more needed than ever because of the expansion in Garda units carrying weapons.

The new armed Regional Support Units deployed in Limerick and Cork are pilot units - if they are a success they will replicated across the country. And all evidence to date is that have been a success, particularly in Limerick.

They need dedicated specialist weapons training - you can't just hand them submachineguns, pistols and tasers, stick them in fast car and say: "There ye go lads, go get 'em!"

Also, in a democracy I believe police and military should be kept separate - whatever state the country's finances are in. We don't want armed police believing they're soldiers and vice versa.

[Grumpy Jack]

How was it axed when it had not yet been built ?

Read the report again. The ERU's firearms tactical training facility at Templemore was closed down a few years ago.

This site nearby was bought to build an expanded replacement with enhanced facilities.

It is still an empty field and the Gardai now have no dedicated weapons and tactics facility.

It's just another example of this government's inability to plan properly and deliver essential facilities.

[HanleyS]

Sounds like a job for Nama. Let them pick any five ghost estates from around the country. We'll have the best facilities in Europe.