Armed Garda Response Unit urgently needed for Sligo-Leitrim Division says South Donegal TD

South Donegal TD Marian Harkin who also represents the Sligo Leitrim constituency has said that the area in the only place in the west and north west that doesn't have an armed garda response unit within its geographical area.

She said: “The Sligo-Leitrim Garda Division is the only one in the West and North West without an Armed Response Unit located within the geographical area of Sligo-Leitrim and we urgently need such a unit to be provided.”

She has called on the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar to address the matter. The Tánaiste said he would raise this with the Minister for Justice but that this was a matter for the Garda Commissioner.

“I have raised this issue many times before as it directly impacts on the response time of the Armed Response Unit and therefore on the protection of citizens and unarmed Gardai.

"We have a situation where the Sligo-Leitrim Division must rely on either Cavan, Mayo, Ballyshannon or Galway for the services of an Armed Response Unit.

"This however is most unsatisfactory where for example the Ballyshannon Armed Response Unit might be needed in Carndonagh or Milford and equally the Cavan Unit might be required in Cavan. Sligo and Leitrim are often left in a situation whereby they have to wait for the services of an Armed Response Unit and this is unacceptable when a critical situation arises,” Deputy Harkin concluded.