The Government shares the "disbelief and outrage" of the community in Tallaght at the death of Sgt Andrew Callanan, the Minister for Justice said yesterday. Mr O'Donoghue said Sgt Callanan had lost his life in "an appalling manner" in the service of the State. "The sympathy of the nation" went out to Sgt Callanan's family on their "tragic loss". "We are reminded, on this saddest of days, that day in, day out, members of the Garda Siochana stand on the line between the law-abiding majority and the small unrepresentative minority who disregard the basic rights of their fellow citizens," Mr O'Donoghue said.
The Minister visited the Garda Commissioner yesterday afternoon to express "deepest sympathy" to the force on behalf of the Government. He also expressed sympathy for the late Sgt Callanan's wife and children, his father and his five sisters.
Mr O'Donoghue was cautious when asked whether the level of security at Garda stations would have to be reviewed. He said "the entire philosophy" of the Garda was based upon community policing.
"What we have being trying to do over a considerable period of time, the Commissioner and I, is to bring the Garda Siochana closer to the community.
"This clearly was an appalling tragedy, a desperate event, but it should not cloud the fact that it is one which is unprecedented and it is not something which one could anticipate.
"Anything that requires to be done in order to protect members of the Garda Siochana from assault will obviously be done, but it is not our intention to close down Garda stations. We want to continue to bring the Garda Siochana closer to the people."
