The Garda commissioner said the appointment by the Government of 28 senior garda managers will “help to address the critical vacancies” in the organisation.

Gardaí want convicted sex offenders to register with gardaí in person and supply them with photographs and other personal information.

A new policing shift system which promises to have more gardaí on at busier times is set to start in four weeks’ time.

MORE than 700 gardaí have retired from the force this year and the number could swell further before the budget next month.

THREE more senior gardaí are due to leave the force early – including the superintendent at one of Dublin’s most high profile stations.

THE gardaí are haemorrhaging key staff, with many senior officers quitting the force to avoid being hit with a threatened tax on retirement lump sums as well as the pension levy.

GARDAÍ can’t get doctors to come to police stations to do crucial work such as taking samples from suspected drunk drivers and treating rape victims, a garda conference heard yesterday.

THE garda reserve would attract “a mixed grill of quasi do-gooders and messianic zealots”, a garda conference heard yesterday.

JUSTICE MINISTER Michael McDowell yesterday called on Fine Gael’s Richard Bruton to “square up to him man-to-man” in a row over garda figures.