McDowell ‘trying to dismantle gardaí’

GARDA representatives yesterday accused Justice Minister Michael McDowell of trying to “dismantle” the Garda Síochána as part of a Thatcherite agenda.

The attack was made as the minister attended the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) in Killarney, Co Kerry.

Mr McDowell told delegates the law had to be implemented and warned gardaí they would arouse "public suspicion and hostility" if they continued to "hide behind a blue wall".