The Garda is to ask the Government for a second helicopter. The first has proved its value since becoming operational at the start of last month, senior officers said yesterday.
The twin-engined Squirrel based at Baldonnel, near Dublin, already has had "a direct role in more than 50 arrests", the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Noel Conroy, said.
It had responded to a range of crimes including car theft and burglary, and had also helped in crowd and traffic control for major sports events.
"The helicopter needs servicing after every 100 flying hours, and servicing takes two days," Mr Conroy said. It also needed refuelling after between two and three flying hours.