An Garda Síochána is going through what is thought to be the biggest clear-out of senior officers in its history.

Almost 3,500 juveniles got away with nearly 7,900 crimes over an eight-year period, an internal Garda report has found.

The Policing Authority has drawn up a panel of 15 senior officers for promotion to the rank of chief superintendent after the biggest ever independent selection process for An Garda Síochána.