An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 25 In 2016 almost the entire investigative section of GSOC attended a one-day information seminar on small arms and light weapons, explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Ordnance School. GSOC personnel who attended this information day realised that they could benefit significantly from tapping into the School's exper- tise in weaponry, explosives, IEDs and counter-terrorism. This led to a request for the School to deliver a more advanced course in order to improve GSOC's capability to deal with events involving the use of firearms or explosives. The outcome was a joint venture, with the School provid- ing course content, facilities, direction and delivery; GSOC providing a training budget; and Synergy Security Solutions (security provider for GSOC and a company the School had previously worked with on the ACC-MTA course programme) providing expert UK instructors. This provision of special- ist knowledge was a key course requirement and allowed Defence Forces personnel to benefit through attending some of the lectures, which covered actual operational scenarios that haven't occurred within the Irish jurisdiction. The objective of the course, titled 'GSOC Post Event Analysis: Small Arms and IEDs', was to develop and enhance GSOC's capability to investigate incidents involving small arms or explosives, such as a marauding terrorist attack on Irish soil and a subsequent armed response by An Garda Síochána. GSOC are cognisant of this fact and of the need to ensure their capabilities are in line with best international standards. The ambitious programme can best be described in the words of the School Commandant, Lt Col Ray Lane, who described it as: "The greatest amount of subject matter in both practical and the- oretical terms I have ever witnessed delivered inside one week!" The course comprised three component modules. The first provided a base level of knowledge in small arms and IEDS; the second exposed the students to post-event analysis skills through examination and analysis of case studies and the provision of information on associated fields; the final mod- ule put this knowledge into practice through the conduct of training stands encompassing various aspects of the course. In module one, GSOC students were exposed to a wide variety of small arms and ammunition and briefed on their respective capabilities and limitations. They were also introduced to explosives and IEDs and put through their paces with ordnance technicians assisting them in manufacturing IEDs. This was followed by a practical dem- onstration of various types of IEDs using military grade explosives and the recovery of forensic matter thereafter. A practical demonstration of terminal ballistics (the study of how a projectile behaves when it hits its target) was conducted utilising assault rifles, handguns and shot- guns of various types. The students were exposed to a wide range of ballistic effects such as expansion in tissue, demonstrated through the medium of ballistic gelatine. A briefing on gunshot wounds and blast trauma was given by Comdt Cathal Berry (OC Medical School, DFTC), and an introduction to ballistics was delivered by Comdt Will O'Meara (Chief Instructor, Cavalry School, a very competent shooter). Former ordnance officer, Comdt John Guinane (retd), representing the Firearms, Explosives and Private Security Policy Division of the Department of Justice, delivered a brief on relevant legislation, which was very well received. Lessons developed from the experience of Ordnance School personnel involved in weapons intelligence team (WIT) operations with ISAF in Afghanistan, were provided by Sgt William Moran, who with two tours in ISAF was ably suited to delivering this piece. The bulk of the second module was spent with ex- police and ex-military personnel from the UK deliver- ing briefs on various complex terrorist events related to attacks involving IEDs and firearms. These briefs cov- ered strategic, operational and tactical concerns. Active discussions were conducted on the subsequent in- vestigative process, where police and military personnel re- acted to dynamic events and were faced with justifying their actions afterwards. This was an invaluable part of the course and selected DF personnel were also invited to attend. The final module began with an excellent brief by Comdt Colin Duffy (Air Corps) on the use of helicopter support. GSOC have a service level agreement with the Air Corps and maximising its potential is an objective of both parties. This brief was followed by short team-focused, practical exer- cises in which the teams were given a scenario where an off duty garda was involved in a targeted IED attack on a vehi- cle. An Air Corps heli was made available to provide an aerial recce of the area. Meanwhile, other teams were involved in training stands covering situational awareness (IEDs and small arms) and post-event analysis (investigative process). The course ended with a final brief on operational sys- tems, delivered by Capt Paul Shorte from the CIS Corps who kindly came in from his leave of absence to deliver the brief! Overall, all parties viewed the course as a tremendous success. Cpl Molloy, the course sergeant, and myself, as course officer, were delighted with the outcome. Rody Butler, Senior Investigating Officer, GSOC, said of the course: "From a GSOC perspective the expertise and commitment of Captain Alan Kearney and Ordnance School Commandant, Lt Col Ray Lane, together with his school staff, made this course possible and relevant. Producing a programme that compacted various ger- mane subject matters into such a short period of time. This has undoubtedly increased the organisations skillset and capability to respond to the aftermath of such in- cidents, in any organised multiagency response." GSOC students and Ord Sch course support staff: Sgt Stephen McCabe, Cpl Joe Molloy (course 2i/c), Rody Butler (GSOC), Capt Alan Kearney, Lt Col Ray Lane, Comdt Oisin Dawson, John Lawlor (Synergy Security Solutions Ltd) and Sgt Willie Moran.

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