'Garda Cyclists gunning for city criminals'

A SPECIAL squad of Garda� have been equipped with Smait hand Wesson hardware to do their job. But it's not guns they're using - Its bicycles.

The American company made famous for its guns and handcuffs has also supplied a number of high-spec bikes to the Garda� in their latest pilot project.

Now the new Garda bicycle unit is being seen as such a success that there are hopes to expand it to other stations around Dublin.

Since last June(June 2001), 30 Garda cyclists have been in operation in Tallaght, Clontarf, Raheny ,and Howth and they proved a valuable Community relations and fighting crime.

In one incident a teenager who stole a mobile phone and money was chase down by a Garda on board a bike and caught.

"The ability of the bicycles to cut through lanes and across fields makes them very useful," explained inspector Colette Quinn who runs the pilkots project.

AS well as the Smith and Wesson bikes, the Garda� are also evaluating other makes such as Raleigh, Specialised, Trek, Idel and Jeep.

Each bicycle carries specialised features such as suspension, disk-brakes, Kevlar-lined puncture proof tyres, and 21 gears.

"The new units are doing extremley well in satisfying demand for more Garda� on the beat", explained Inspector Quinn.

"The bicycle mounted unit Garda� are able to cover ground four to five times quicker than on foot", she added.

The pedal-pushing pack are aslo proving a big hit with kids who had problems identifying with the Garda�.

People who used to be fearful of using parklands for recreation are now telling the Garda� that they once feel safe knowing they're not far away!.