The Garda Commissioner has defended the progress of the investigation into the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was shot dead during an armed robbery outside Dundalk in 2013.
Nóirín O'Sullivan said she accepts that the length of time the investigation is taking can be frustrating for family, friends and colleagues but she said mistakes cannot be made.
She also said that the force remains determined to bring the perpetrators to justice and renewed the appeal for information on the crime.
The commissioner was speaking at a ceremony at the Garda College in Templemore where a Gold Scott medal for bravery was posthumously awarded to Detective Donohoe.
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Detective Donohoe's widow Caroline accepted the award on behalf of her late husband.
His colleague Joseph Ryan, who was held at gunpoint by two gang members, was also awarded a Scott medal for bravery.
They were two of 14 gardaí commended for their courage and selflessness in the line of duty, values which the commissioner said epitomise An Garda Síochána.
Dets Donohoe and Ryan were on a cash escort from a number of credit unions on the Cooley Peninsula on 25 January 2013.
An armed gang of five men blocked them in at the car park of the Lordship Credit Union at Bellurgan just outside Dundalk at around 9.30pm.
When Det Donohoe got out to investigate, two gunmen ran towards him and one shot him dead.
Det Ryan was then held at gunpoint by two of the raiders while the others robbed cash and other items from the credit union employees.
Although an intensive investigation continues, no one has been arrested or charged in connection with the murder of Det Donohoe.
Three of the main suspects are in the US and one is in Ireland moving between Newry and Dundalk.
In relation to the Garda Ombudsman's call yesterday for more legislative powers, the commissioner said she supported a review of the operation of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.
However, she did not express support for allowing the Ombudsman secure court orders to direct the gardaí to co-operate with it.
Commissioner O'Sullivan said these matters were complex and that it often took time to assemble the information sought by GSOC.
In relation to the allegations levelled against Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, she said anyone with information about any crime should report that to the gardaí.
Mr Adams has said he totally rejects allegations made in a BBC Northern Ireland Spotlight programme that he sanctioned the 2006 murder of former party worker and British agent Denis Donaldson.
NI Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness today said that: "Gerry Adams had absolutely nothing to do with the Denis Donaldson killing".
