The number of armed detectives in the Cavan/Monaghan Garda division has fallen by more than half in the last 12 years despite the continued threat from terrorist groups in the area and across the Border, delegates at the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) conference said.
This was now putting the lives of gardaí and the public at risk, it was claimed.
No new detectives had been appointed since 1992, and numbers in the detective branch had fallen to between 15 and 20, from over 40, the conference heard from delegates. This was despite 90 miles of the Border running through the region.
The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, has been urged to review the recruitment of detectives in all Garda districts, amid claims from sergeants and inspectors that the detective branch of the force has been seriously neglected in many areas.
Delegates at the AGSI conference backed a motion urging Mr McDowell to adopt a formal policy on appointing members to detective branches.
At present the system of appointments is an ad hoc one. Some sergeants and inspectors believe a major review of demand for detectives all over the country should be carried out with minimum staffing levels then set down for each division.
The conference was told that when detectives retire, they are not being replaced. This meant the detective branch was losing its experienced members as well as new recruits.
Det Sgt Val Martin, Cavan/ Monaghan, said the detective branch was vital to tackling serious crime and in supporting their unarmed uniformed colleagues.
"The remaining detectives have to carry out the same workload as was previously done by twice the strength. There is actually an increase in the frequency of explosives escorts and quarry blasts."
There was also an increase in "complex crimes", including sex crimes, which are investigated by detectives.
"Some of the most serious incidents involving firearms occur without prior notice and require instant action from \ who are on duty and have access to firearms without delay. The lack of detectives places uniform gardaí, members of the public and existing detectives in danger."
The conference also heard calls for much greater investment in technology in An Garda Síochána, particularly hand-held video cameras.
Delegates were told cameras were a key tool in gathering evidence but were not available in a lot of stations. When gardaí later went to court in connection with crimes they were investigating, they were often asked by the judge to explain the absence of video evidence.
However, many sergeants and inspectors said they would not welcome the installation of in-car cameras because such a measure was an invasion of privacy.
Delegates also favoured the legalisation of the sale of fireworks.
They want Mr McDowell to legalise fireworks in order that quality fireworks would be available and weaken demand for inferior black market brands which often caused serious injury.
