GRA hits out at Conroy over garda reserve ‘farce’

THE association representing rank-and-file gardaí yesterday criticised Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy over his handling of the proposed Garda Reserve.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) said the “farce” over the reserve could have been avoided if the commissioner had stood up to Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

Writing in the Garda Review, GRA general secretary PJ Stone said the minister had publicly claimed the proposals for the reserve had come from Mr Conroy.

“Why has the commissioner not come out and disputed who proposed the reserve first and say it was the Department of Justice and not the commissioner as reported?” said Mr Stone.

He said the minister was “steamrolling” the proposal through after going back on a promise to both the GRA and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) to consult them before introducing the reserve.

“The simple truth is this farce could have been avoided if we did indeed have a steady hand on the tiller.”

He said that leadership in the force had been “absent” on this and other issues.

“If the commissioner had stood firm and asked for time to give due consideration to a consultation process then they would not have demeaned the members of the force.”

He said families of gardaí had made the sacrifice to support their loved ones through their lengthy and intensive training.

“If only the commissioner had the temerity at the outset to say to the minister that this scheme would not work without a consultative process throughout the force.

“We once again respectfully ask our leadership to stand up and be counted on this issue.”

Tensions between the garda associations and the minister escalated last month after the GRA and the AGSI adopted a policy of non-cooperation with the reserve.

The associations said they would not work with the voluntary body, which is due to recruit its first 900 members in September.

Mr McDowell immediately warned the associations against confrontation and said the will of the Oireachtas had to be obeyed.

The GRA is to meet Mr McDowell tomorrow to discuss the matter. The AGSI is due to have a meeting with the minister on Thursday.

The Garda Press Office said it couldn’t comment on issues raised by a representative association.