The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) said it was "totally unacceptable" that garda� had to use a range at Courtlough in Balbriggan because the two garda ranges have been closed down.

The range at Garda Headquarters was closed in December 2005 for health and safety reasons, including a number of incidents involving ricocheting bullets. The range at Templemore is also currently closed although land has been purchased for a new range.

The garda� have been using Defence Forces shooting facilities but some of these are unsuitable for the calibre of weapons that detectives use.

"We are the only police force in Europe that doesn't have its own dedicated range so we are being forced into hiring places from private enterprise. This is totally unacceptable to this association, " said AGSI president Paschal Feeney. "We rely on the Defence Forces lending us their facilities and some of these are not suitable and can be withdrawn at short notice."

The AGSI said it has pictures of garda� firing weapons wearing wellington boots because they sink into the ground at some army ranges during wet weather.

Over 3,200 firearms cards were issued to garda� last year, but due to the lack of training facilities. most detectives get to fire their weapons in a training exercise only once a year.

Previously, they went through at least three annual training sessions.

The need for ongoing training has been made more urgent by the replacement of the standard-issue Smith and Wesson pistol with new semiautomatic weapons.