Gardaí to discuss reserve with McDowell

GROUPS representing gardaí will meet Justice Minister Michael McDowell before the end of March to outline their objections to his plans to establish a part-time Garda Reserve.

The Department of Justice said yesterday that a meeting with the Garda Representative Association (GRA) has been scheduled for March 22. Mr McDowell will meet a delegation from the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) the following day.

Just two days before its meeting with the minister, the GRA and AGSI hold a rally in Dublin opposing the reserve.