McDowell: garda reserve plan not ‘mad hatter’ scheme

SENIOR garda criticism of the garda reserve plan was wide of the mark, Justice Michael McDowell said yesterday.

AGSI president Joe Dirwan described the plans to create a 900-strong reserve by next September as a “mad hatter” scheme.

Yesterday, the minister called on the AGSI to engage positively in that process and to recognise the benefits a garda reserve will bring to the force and the public it serves.