The Oireachtas Justice Committee has heard that around 2,600 gardaí are driving patrol cars without the necessary qualifications.

The head of the Garda Inspectorate says the State needs to focus on preventing gangland crime rather than dealing with its consequences.

The Garda Inspectorate today insisted there was no need for a fully-armed police force despite the growing threat of gangland violence.

Kathleen O'Toole says she is not a candidate for PSNI Ombudsman role.

The Garda authorities have agreed to implement a new set of procedures on how they handle sieges.

The woman charged with overseeing the Garda urged Sinn Féin today to accept the new policing arrangements in the North.

The new Head of the Garda Inspectorate has said it is important that the force learns lessons from the killing of John Carthy in Abbeylara, Co Longford, six years ago.

Boston police commissioner Kathleen O'Toole has resigned after two years in the job to become head of the new Garda Inspectorate.