Gardaí are turning down six in every ten requests by prison chiefs for armed escorts for dangerous criminals, newly-released figures show.
Last year the Irish Prison Service headquarters asked for armed garda protection on 166 occasions when transporting inmates deemed a threat to the public or at risk of escape.
However, only 69 of the requests considered were granted.
The figures, which prison chiefs refused to disclose after a freedom of information request last month, have now been handed to Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Niall Collins following a parliamentary question.
Mr Collins said it is "shocking" to think that so many violent prisoners are being transported through the streets without an armed guard.
"The requests for armed escorts are only made when the Prison Service believes that a convicted criminal is dangerous enough to attempt an escape or to pose a very serious threat to public safety," he said.
"It is completely unacceptable that only four out of every ten requests could be filled last year."
Just weeks ago a Scottish convict escaped from Portlaoise Prison while being taken to Tallaght Hospital for a medical appointment.
Two prison guards were stabbed as Glaswegian Derek Brockwell, 53, fled custody.
He was later captured by police in Belfast and has since been transferred to England, where he had also escaped prison while serving a number of life sentences.
