Gardaí to fight reserve force

HUNDREDS of gardaí from all over Munster are expected to meet in a Cork hotel next Monday to show their opposition to Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s plans to create a reserve force.

Cork-based Sergeant Willie Gleeson, who is a national treasurer and national executive member of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), confirmed last night that a meeting has been arranged for the Rochestown Park hotel on February 27 at 7.30pm.

The meeting is being organised in conjunction with the Garda Representative Association (GRA).

“We are appealing for members from all over Munster to attend. We want to show solidarity. Our main reason for opposing the creation of a reserve force is that it will represent a lowering of standards,” Sergeant Gleeson said.

He is hoping that a similar show of strength will be made in Cork as at a meeting in Sligo last Monday night, at which nearly 1,000 people attended.

Mr McDowell is proposing to recruit 900 reserve force members by September, with the overall figure rising to 4,000.

Meanwhile, Cork County Council, following a motion from FG Councillor Kevin Murphy is to write to the minister asking him to raise the retirement age of gardaí from 57 to 60 and over. Mr Murphy said this would help bolster the force.