Independent TD Mick Wallace will today propose new legislation outlining sweeping changes to the Gardaí in a Private Members' Bill.

The General Secretary of the Association of Garda Superintendents is warning that the strength of the force is now at a critically low level.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors is today branding proposals aimed at reforming the policing model as "bordering on farcical".

Proposals to change Ireland's policing model would see gardaí hold 'clinics' in areas hit by station closures, it was reported today.

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has today admitted that the closure of Garda stations will impact on communities.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter said today that it "makes sense" for the Garda Commissioner to make contingency plans, including the closure of stations, to deal with reduced officer numbers.

A new report is recommending a shake-up of garda rosters that would see more boys in blue on the beat.

A leading crime and policing academic today clamed An Garda Siochana is one of the most secretive police forces in the liberal western world.

The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) says urgent measures need to be taken to make the Gardai more transparent and accountable.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) has welcomed plans to arm all uniformed officers with pepper-spray canisters.

Gardaí are to be given pepper-spray canisters to improve their safety and help them deal with violent situation.

The Irish Council of Civil Liberties (ICCL) has today expressed its concern following the publication of the Garda Ombudsman Commission's report.

The Garda Inspectorate today insisted there was no need for a fully-armed police force despite the growing threat of gangland violence.

The first batch of the new garda reserves will officially join the Force today.

The Garda Press Office should be made up of civilians to get gardaí behind desks back on the beat, it was claimed today.

The divide between the Minister for Justice Michael McDowell and rank-and-file gardaí appears to be widening.

Middle ranking gardaí today voted against co-operating with the 'hobby bobbies' of the proposed Garda Reserve.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has announced plans to begin implementing his reforms of An Garda Siochana from Friday.

Proposed Garda reforms will leave the force more remote than ever, it was claimed today.

A group established by the Government to review the workings of An Garda Siochana has reportedly recommended significant reform of the force.

Labour's justice spokesman Joe Costello said the Garda reforms announced by Minister Michael McDowell today were of little value unless radical measures were taken to address the declining public confidence in the policing system.

Fine Gael TD John Deasy has welcomed the Government's plans to establish an independent inspectorate to investigate complaints against the Gardaí.

The Garda Commissioner, Pat Byrne, also says he is concerned by the video footage of how his force handled Monday’s disturbances.

The Taoiseach says it is clearly evident from video footage that at least one garda was wielding a baton indiscriminately during Monday’s street protest in Dublin.

The Labour Party has reiterated its belief that Monday’s clashes between gardaí and anti-capitalist protestors highlight the need for an independent police ombudsman in Ireland.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties is condemning the excessive use of force by gardai at yesterday’s anti-globalisation protest in Dublin.

Gardai faced allegations of brutality today after 24 anti-capitalism protesters were arrested in Dublin last night.

Gardai in Dublin arrested 24 people yesterday after an anti-capitalist protest in the city.

One of the two youths arrested after the deaths of two gardai in south Dublin on Sunday will appear before Dun Laoghaire District Court this morning.

Justice Minister John O’Donoghue has hinted that the Government plans to establish an independent body to investigate complaints against the Gardai.

The Labour Party has published a new bill calling for the establishment of an independent ombudsman to oversee complaints against the Gardai.

An ex-garda has pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to harassing his former girlfriend and making over 2,200 pest phone calls to her.

A suspended Garda has pleaded guilty to harassing his former girlfriend over a nine month period.