In a fresh twist in the Garda breath test saga, chief superintendents are challenging moves by acting commissioner Dónall Ó Cualáin that they see as unfairly tarnishing them.

JUSTICE MINISTER Michael McDowell received a major boost yesterday after garda superintendents strongly endorsed the garda reserve.

THE representative body for garda chiefs is “not opposed” to the idea of a Garda Reserve body, according to a spokesman.

Whatever virtues may be attached to the establishment of a garda reserve force, they are ill-served by the polarisation between Justice Minister Michael McDowell and the majority of gardaí.