A new Garda unit tasked with tackling gangland crime in Dublin will be launched today.
The creation of the Armed Support Unit was announced by the Justice Minister in response to the ongoing gangland feud in Dublin.
The 60-member unit is equipped with high powered cars and modern firearms and is designed to provide a highly visible deterrent to criminal activity in the city.
It is the first time the capital has had a designated armed support unit.
Image: RollingNews
Members have been specifically trained to tackle serious gangland crime - however the unit is being launched without a chief superintendent at the helm as a result of vacancies in the force.
Instead, the chief superintendent of the Dublin regional office at Harcourt Square in the capital is double-jobbing as chief for the unit.
There are five superintendents on a list for promotion awaiting sanction by the government.
Image: RollingNews
Responsibility for garda promotions will be handed over to the Policing Authority by December 31 - but regulations to hand responsibility over are still under discussion.
The last opportunity to ratify the promotions this year will be at the cabinet meeting of government ministers next Tuesday.