Garda Emergency Response Unit
The Emergency Response Unit (ERU) (Irish: Aonad Práinnfhreagartha) is the police tactical unit of the Garda Síochána, Ireland's national police and security service. The unit was a section of the forces' Special Detective Unit (SDU), under the Crime and Security Branch (CSB) until 2017, when the Special Tactics and Operational Command was created to take over its operational duties alongside Armed Support Units.
| Emergency Response Unit | |
|---|---|
| Aonad Práinnfhreagartha (Irish) | |
ERU emblem | |
| Active | 15 December 1977 – present |
| Country | Ireland |
| Agency | Garda Síochána |
| Type | Police tactical unit |
| Role | |
| Part of | Special Tactics and Operational Command |
| Headquarters | Harcourt Street, Dublin City |
| Abbreviation | ERU |
| Structure | |
| Officers | Approx. 100 |
| Notables | |
| Significant operation(s) | Shooting of John Carthy |
The Garda ERU provides the highest tier of firearms response to Irish law enforcement, specialising in weapons tactics, counter-terrorism, execution of high-risk missions, crisis negotiation, hostage rescue and close protection, among other roles. The unit was formed in 1977 as the "Special Task Force" to assist ordinary members of the force in extraordinary situations. The ERU regularly trains with the Irish Army Ranger Wing (ARW), the country's military special operations forces, sharing facilities and equipment.