Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan’s failure to deliver an internal audit report into 1m fake breath tests and fixed-charge notices has been blamed on “considerable difficulties” in gathering facts, several months after the scandal broke.

The Policing Authority has strongly criticised the lack of leadership in An Garda Síochána in implementing civilianisation — a key recommendation of the Garda Inspectorate.

The crime-solving rate by gardaí has dropped substantially over a five-year period, according to the Central Statistics Office.

The Policing Authority has expressed serious concern at “systemic performance and management failures” within An Garda Síochána and “deep unease” at the organisation and management culture of the force.

The Garda Inspectorate has set out more than 200 recommendations for streamlining the investigation and management of crime in a report to be released in the coming days, it has been reported.

POLICE corruption will be one of the issues high on the agenda when delegates from forces around the world gather in Limerick today to share their experiences and methods in tacking crime.

THE Irish Council for Civil Liberties has criticised the Government for appointing a retired senior civil servant as head of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).

THE Government yesterday authorised the use of non-lethal energy devices to the Garda’s Emergency Response Unit (ERU).

DESPITE the apparent euphoria at the news that the gardaí are to recruit more civilians, it seems to be a case of more chiefs and not enough Indians.

A new transparent system of promotion within the Gardaí is to be introduced as part of a reform of the force, it was confirmed today.

Ostensibly, the reports of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate and the Management Advisory Group, which recommend radical reform of garda management, should be welcomed, both from a garda and public perspective.

An Garda Siochana was tonight facing radical shake-up of its top brass.

THE Government yesterday transferred control of 1,900 civilian staff working with the gardaí from itself to the Garda Commissioner.

Rank-and-file gardaí joined senior officers today to wish the new head of the Garda Siochana Inspectorate success in the role.