A RECRUITMENT campaign for the Garda Reserve force is to begin on Monday and will run for four weeks, it was confirmed yesterday.

The recruitment drive for the new Garda reserve force, which was due to begin at the end of May, is suffering setbacks.

As expected, Justice Minister Michael McDowell attracted scathing criticism at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI).

THE volunteer Garda Reserve force is a great idea in principle.

Garda chiefs have ordered the removal of all posters in stations advertising meetings organised to oppose the introduction of a reserve force, it was claimed tonight.

Angry gardaí across the Northwest of the country have vowed not to tolerate the creation of a volunteer reserve force, it emerged today.

Gardaí have said that they will protest today over plans by the Government to introduce a Garda Reserve Force, with very little training.

Gardaí are buying batteries for their own torches to patrol after dark, it was claimed today.

LIMERICK’S crime gangs could infiltrate the proposed Garda Reserve Force, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors warned last night.

THE row over controversial proposals by Justice Minister Michael McDowell to introduce a voluntary garda reserve intensified yesterday with the Garda Representative Association (GRA) claiming the measure would place the lives of existing gardaí at risk.

Granting a Garda reserve force powers of arrest with only minimal training is a recipe for disaster, it was warned today.

THE Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) last night warned that the proposed garda reserve force could attract people who want to go on a power kick and settle old scores with neighbours.

The Garda operation to tackle gangland crime is to be extended nationwide and increased by nearly a third, it emerged today.