GARDA commissioner Fachtna Murphy has been urged to restrict access to armouries at garda stations around the country following an inquest into the suicide of a retired detective at Carrick-on-Shannon station.

Retired detective Peter O'Donnell (55), originally from Donegal, had been retired from the force for two months when he accessed the station's armoury room and shot himself in the head on 25 July.

Access to the armoury is controlled by a code and O'Donnell gained access by telling former colleagues he had to finish work on a file.

Following the tragedy, the garda ombudsman launched an inquiry, and made recommendations to garda commissioner Fachtna Murphy.

A spokesman told the Sunday Tribune: "The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is conscious of the tragic nature of the event and sympathetic to everybody touched by this incident. It is also mindful of its remit as the police oversight body. It has made some recommendations to the garda commissioner. It is in ongoing dialogue with the garda commissioner about them."

It is understood that the commissioner has been advised to review access to armouries at garda stations. The informal practice at some stations where gardaí permit their former colleagues access to the station should also come to an end, it has been recommended.

Sgt Keelan Brennan, of Carrick-on-Shannon station, described O'Donnell as much loved and highly respected by everyone who knew him.

In April 2008, a detective garda attached to the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) was found dead at Harcourt Square in Dublin with a gunshot wound to the head.

Paul Gilton (48) from Swords had been on a night out with colleagues at a nearby bar when he returned to his office and used his official Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistol to commit suicide.

All detectives are issued with personal firearms which are usually stored in gun lockers at their station.