Gardai seek tough new laws to protect officers
GARDAI have called for tougher laws to protect officers on duty as a tribute to two gardai who were killed in the line of duty.
Gardai have spoken out following the inquest into the death of Garda Gary McLoughlin, who died as a result of unlawful killing.
Gda McLoughlin (24) died when a drunk driver smashed into his patrol car as he operated a check-point at Burt, Co Donegal, in December 2009.
Martin McDermott had led gardai on a 30km chase before the smash and was later jailed for eight years for manslaughter.
Garda Robbie McCallion (29) was killed when he went to stop car thief Jamie McGrenaghan from leaving a housing estate in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, in March 2009.
There was a public outcry when McGrenaghan was found not guilty of the manslaughter of Gda McCallion, although he was jailed for six years for dangerous driving causing death.
"We demand legislation that protects us in the course of our duty," said a Garda Representative Association spokesman.
- Stephen Maguire
Irish Independent
