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Garda Armed Support Unit
Aonad Tacaíochta faoi Airm (Irish)
Active
  • 2008 (pilot)
  • 2012 (5 regions)
  • 2016 (Dublin region)
Country Ireland
AgencyGarda Síochána
Role
  • Specialist armed/tactical response
  • Armed airport and port patrols
AbbreviationASU
Structure
Operators≈ 180 (as of 2014)[1]
Equipment
Vehicles

Armed Support Units (ASU) (Irish: Tacaíochta Faoi Arm) are specialist regional firearms units of the Garda Síochána,[2] the national police force of Ireland. Based in all four Garda regions in the country, Gardaí attached to an ASU unit carry a combination of lethal firearms and non-lethal weapons, as opposed to regular uniformed Gardaí, who are unarmed, and detective gardaí, who are armed but not assigned to ASU roles.

The ASU is under the command of the Special Tactics and Operational Command alongside the Garda Emergency Response Unit (ERU).[3]

Armed Support Units were known as Regional Support Units (RSU) when first established in 2008.[3]

Duties

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A Garda Armed Support Unit may be deployed to support local Garda officers in certain high-risk operations.[4] This principally involves offering armed assistance to ordinary Gardaí who are dealing with an incident in which firearms or other weapons (knives, etc.) have been produced. It also includes:[5][6]

  • Confronting and disarming persons who are carrying knives or guns
  • Providing tactical support to other gardaí carrying out searches
  • Carrying out high visibility static and rolling checkpoints and other operations to counteract the movements of criminals
  • Overt armed airport and port patrols to counter terrorist attacks[7]

Background

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The first Regional Support Unit (RSU) was formed in 2008,[8] following recommendations made by the Barr Tribunal, which brought the existence and role of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) to public attention (April 2000, see Death of John Carthy), and questioned the Dublin-based unit's ability to reach other areas of the country quickly.[9][10]

Regional Support Units were originally assigned to support five individual Garda regions – administrative areas drawn on geographical lines which at the time were made up of the Eastern, Northern, Southern, South-Eastern and Western regions and have since been amalgamated into the Southern, Eastern, Northwestern and Dublin Metropolitan regions[11] – but not the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), which had remained the sole responsibility of the ERU.[12] The first RSU was formed on a pilot basis in the Southern Region (the administrative area which at the time consisted of counties Cork, Limerick and Kerry).[8][12]

As of 2012, RSU units began operating on a full-time permanent armed basis in the Eastern, Northern, Southern, South-Eastern and Western regions after a trial period.[13][14][15][16] Serious incidents such as barricaded sieges, hostage takings or terrorism can result in the deployment of the ERU.

In February 2016, it was decided that a Regional Support Unit should be established in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) to counteract the growing threat of gangland drug crime and terrorism risks.[17] Previously the Dublin Garda region had been provided with tactical support by the Emergency Response Unit. As part of this process, the term Regional Support Unit was replaced by the term Armed Support Unit (ASU).[citation needed] The ASU was established in December 2016.[18]

The Dublin ASU began operating in early 2016 with a complement of 55-60 full-time armed officers, including 5 sergeants.[19] The Dublin-based unit is equipped with marked and unmarked vehicles,[20] and was officially launched in late 2016.[21]

In April 2016, it was confirmed that Armed Support Units would be deployed overtly to patrol both Dublin Airport and Dublin Port full-time on foot inside terminal buildings and via vehicles outside and surrounding the perimeter, carrying personal defense weapons, sidearms, tasers and other specialist equipment to counter the rising threat of terrorist attacks in Europe.[22][23]

In March 2018, the ASU participated in anti-terrorist drills at Shannon Airport with the Irish Defence Forces and the Emergency Response Unit.[24]

During the first six months of 2022, the ASU did not use their firearms at any time. They used a single "SIR-X" rubber bullet on one occasion.[25]

Training and manpower

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Garda ASU officers undergo training over a thirteen-week period, which includes instruction in:

The Garda ERU are responsible for ASU training. Some ASU officers later go on to join the ERU. ASU membership consists exclusively of serving officers in the Garda Síochána, who must have at least 4 years experience and a clean disciplinary record.

As of 2016, there were Armed Support Units in all six regions, each with at least 24 members (Dublin having 55 to 60 members),[26] putting the overall manpower at more than 175.[10]

The command of each Armed Support Unit is given to a Detective Superintendent in each geographic region,[citation needed] except in Dublin where the Dublin ASU is under the command of the Garda's Special Tactics and Operations Command (STOC).[27] The STOC, which has "a governance role for the ASUs located outside of Dublin",[27][28] is based in Kevin Street Garda Station.[29]

Notable incidents

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On 30 December 2020, a member of the Dublin ASU shot and killed George Nkencho in front of his west Dublin home after graduated attempts to disarm him failed.[30][31][32] The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission launched an investigation into the circumstances of his death.[33]

On 23 November 2023, members of the Garda Public Order Unit (POU) and the ASU were sent into a riot in Dublin, they were positioned as a police cordon around Leinster House and key government buildings.[34]

On 16 August 2024, ASU officers responded to a stabbing incident at Renmore Barracks.[35]

Equipment

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Weapons

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Members of the Armed Support Units are equipped similarly to members of the Special Detective Unit (SDU) and Emergency Response Unit.[8][36]

ASU weapons include;

ASU units also carry less-lethal weapons, such as;

Vehicles

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A Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU) response vehicle

Armed Support Units operate Volvo V70 XC70 (police variant) and Audi Q7 vehicles.[10] Also introduced in late 2016 were BMW 5 Series Touring vehicles, costing €70,000 each with a top speed of 233 km/h (145 mph), replacing the older fleet of XC70s.[38] In late 2017 BMW X5s were also introduced, along with one Ford Transit tactical support van.[citation needed]

The ASU vehicles are specially modified[10] and distinguishable from other Garda vehicles by battenburg markings, the words "ARMED SUPPORT UNIT" on the doors and a distinctive red stripe along each side.[36] The Volvo XC70s featured a light bar on the roof with an illuminated red message scroller bearing the term "GARDA ARMED SUPPORT UNIT", however newer vehicles feature a low profile light bar and XC70s in service in Dublin have been refitted with a more standard light bar.[citation needed] Older vehicles have been remarked to match the current style (original vehicles did not feature the red stripe and had a different, slightly less bright reflective pattern).

Patrol vehicles contain an equipment drawer and shelves in the boot to carry weapons and other tactical equipment.[39][21]

References

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  1. ^ "Groups of uniformed gardai to be fully armed in shake-up". Irish Independent. 1 January 2014. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  2. ^ O'Connor, Niall (7 July 2022). "Armed gardaí have trained for 'active shooter' attacks at empty schools and public buildings". thejournal.ie. Journal Media Ltd. Retrieved 3 September 2023. The regional Armed Support Units (ASU) and Dublin based Emergency Response Unit (ERU) are Ireland's specialist garda firearms units
  3. ^ a b "Inside Ireland's armed garda units: How criminal feuds and global training changed the gardaí". 22 October 2023.
  4. ^ "RTE News - Armed garda response units operating - 3 September 2008". RTÉ.ie. 3 September 2008. Archived from the original on 13 December 2009. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  5. ^ "Garda Press office - Searches in the Shannon and Limerick areas - 16/10/08". Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  6. ^ "Irish Independent - New armed garda squad to take on city gang bosses - 22 September 2007". Archived from the original on 20 December 2008. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  7. ^ "National Rollout of Regional Support Units Complete May 9th 2012 - South Eastern Region Unit Launched". 9 May 2012. An Garda Síochána. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d "Garda Press office - Garda Commissioner launches Regional Support Units - 2/09/08". Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  9. ^ a b "RTE News - New armed garda unit for midlands - 28 August 2009". RTÉ.ie. 28 August 2009. Archived from the original on 31 August 2009. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  10. ^ a b c d "Quick-change armed Gardai hit the streets". Irish Independent. 4 September 2008. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  11. ^ "An Garda Siochana Announces New Regional and Divisional Headquarters under new Operating Model (25/9/19)". Garda. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Annual Report of An Garda Síochána - 2008" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  13. ^ "Annual Report of An Garda Síochána - 2009" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 September 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  14. ^ "Irish Times - Garda armed response unit launched for eastern region - 8 August 2009". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  15. ^ "Department of Justice - Press Releases - Justice Minister Dermot Ahern launches New Garda Response Unit in Western Region - 25 June 2010". Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  16. ^ "Donegal Division Policing Plan of An Garda Síochána - 2010" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  17. ^ "New armed garda unit to monitor growing terror threat in Dublin". Sunday World. 13 January 2016. Archived from the original on 15 February 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  18. ^ http://opac.oireachtas.ie/AWData/Library3/JUQdoclaid070717_113255.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  19. ^ "No chief for new Armed Support Unit in Dublin". Irish Examiner. 14 December 2016. Archived from the original on 15 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  20. ^ "Permanent armed Garda response unit for Dublin in wake of gangland shootings". Irish Independent. 2 February 2016. Archived from the original on 10 February 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  21. ^ a b c "Armed units will not change Garda image, says Nóirín O'Sullivan". Irish Times. 14 December 2016. Archived from the original on 15 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  22. ^ Lally, Conor (23 March 2016). "Gardaí to begin armed policing at Dublin Airport". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  23. ^ "Armed Gardaí to patrol Dublin Airport in response to Brussels attacks". Newstalk. 24 March 2016. Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  24. ^ "Hostage horror plays out at Shannon Airport in simulated armed incident". 21 March 2018.
  25. ^ Gallagher, Conor (2 August 2022). "Almost 300 people injured during Garda 'use of force' incidents in 2022". Irish Times.
  26. ^ "Dramatic footage is backdrop to news that it will take six months to set up armed response unit". Irish Examiner. 11 February 2016. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  27. ^ a b "Special Tactics & Operations Command". Garda Síochána. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  28. ^ "Gardaí confirm strengthening of Donegal Armed Support Unit". donegaldaily.com. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2023. Armed Support Units (ASU) are under the command of STOC (Special Tactics & Operations Command) and are established on a regional basis
  29. ^ O'Keeffe, Cormac (16 November 2018). "Gardaí will need extra €75m up to end of year". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 September 2023. The old Kevin Street Garda Station is being refurbished to house the Special Tactics and Operations Command (STOC)
  30. ^ Hussey, Sinéad (30 December 2020). "Man dies after being shot by gardaí in west Dublin". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  31. ^ MacNamee, Garreth (30 December 2020). "Man shot dead by gardaí in Clonee named locally as George Nkencho". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  32. ^ Gorman, Claire (31 December 2020). "Brother of George Nkencho demands 'justice' over death". Irish Mirror. Archived from the original on 31 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  33. ^ O’Keeffe, Cormac (30 December 2020). "Probe under way after man fatally shot by gardaí". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  34. ^ "Ireland to tighten hate laws amid far-right Dublin riot 'shame'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  35. ^ "LIVE: Galway gardai seal off barracks after incident leaves chaplain injured". 17 August 2024.
  36. ^ a b RTE News video - Armed garda response units operating[permanent dead link‍]
  37. ^ "Irish Independent - Commuter-belt garda squad to carry new armour-piercing submachine gun - 30 August 2009". Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  38. ^ "Gardai will be driving Beamers to keep up with the criminals". Kildare Now. 11 October 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  39. ^ O'Connor, Niall; Ryan, Phillip (20 October 2015). "Gardai splashing millions on high-powered vehicles to tackle burglary gangs". Sunday World. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
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