The Policing Authority is implementing a key part in the reform of An Garda Síochána as it oversees the appointment of gardaí to key management positions.

The Garda Ombudsman will need “extra resources” to conduct an investigation into suspected fraud involving a secret garda bank account, sources have explained.

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Fresh controversy has enveloped Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan after she was criticised by the State’s financial watchdog for failing to mention possible financial irregularities at Templemore Garda College in a formal accounting notification to him.

The Public Accounts Committee, examining a series of financial scandals at the Templemore Garda College, are to grill eight civilian members of the force next week — without Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan being present.

“I’m from a generation that know how to cut their cloth to suit to their measure — that spent their lives having to live within their means.”

Senior gardaí have said that an additional 200 to 300 garda recruits are needed every year on top of the commitment to take on 600 officers annually.

Criticism that paints every garda as bad “is just wrong and must be rejected”, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has said.

Middle-ranking gardaí have warned Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald that while the Garda system may survive with “sticking plasters”, the men and women of the force may not.

Gardaí fear that training for the next batch of Garda recruits — the first in five years — will be done “on the cheap”.

Electricity customers have become the latest to fall prey to the data protection debacle at Loyaltybuild as gardaí yesterday announced a fraud squad probe into breaches at the company.

There are 25 organised crime gangs operating around the country, but the garda commissioner said he believes gardaí are winning the war against crime.

An Garda Síochána can begin recruiting from next year after Justice Minister Alan Shatter announced the lifting of the embargo.

Two years after the Government said it was to “immediately” start modernising the country’s 50-year-old gambling laws, Justice Minister Alan Shatter has published the heads of a bill to regulate the industry.

AS the last group of students from Templemore Garda College graduated yesterday, Justice Minister Alan Shatter said he was hopeful a recruitment drive could start again within 18 months.

IT could be 2020 before there are new garda recruits, which will make it “impossible” for gardaí to carry out their functions, according to middle-ranking officers.

GARDA Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said a decision will be taken over the coming days on whether to investigate a claim by former Defence Minister Willie O’Dea that he based his false brothel claims on information he got from a garda.

JUSTICE Minister Dermot Ahern has launched a report on a new training regime for Garda recruits which will see them attain full police powers after 32 weeks’ training, replacing the current 58-week period.

TWO years ago James Clarke made a decision many will find it hard to understand – he gave up life as a professional golfer for a new career pounding the beat as a garda.

Two teenagers will appear in court today after a young garda mown down by car thieves was left fighting for his life.

The family of a young garda officer was keeping a bedside vigil tonight as he fought for life after being mown down by teenage car thieves.

WHILE Garda recruitment numbers are set to fall from 1,100 to 400 a year due to cutbacks, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern yesterday pledged there would not be a halt to increasing Garda numbers.

THE new Garda Reserve will bring a wealth of experience and expertise from various walks of life to An Garda Síochána, Justice Minister Michael McDowell said yesterday.

GAY and lesbian gardaí could be on the verge of gaining formal recognition within An Garda Síochána.

Detailed plans for a small monitoring squad of inspectors to ensure the Garda force reaches international standards have been revealed today.