The Garda's frontline armed unit for Dublin is at crisis point because it does not have enough officers to protect the city, insiders warned last night.
Sources say that the elite Armed Support Unit has seen its numbers slump in the last year – with almost 20 members moving and only seven new recruits making it through the tough training regime.
However, Garda management strongly defended resources in the unit last night - and insisted there was an effective capacity in the ASU and officers were being recruited to it.
