Gardaí have demanded replacement uniforms after claiming their new gear is sub-standard and shabby, it emerged today.

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell tonight warned gardaí they would be acting outside the law of the land if they did not co-operate with his reserve force.

GARDA associations are due to meet management in the Waterford division following, what gardaí claim, is the effective “disbandment” of the local drugs unit.