Gardaí angry as McDowell rows back on recruit pledge

GARDAÍ lashed out at Justice Minister Michael McDowell last night for failing to keep his promise on hiring 2,000 more recruits.

Speaking for the first time to a garda association, Mr McDowell said the Government could not recruit the promised gardaí because the money wasn't there. He said "economic and financial circumstances" were to blame.

"The Government remains committed to increasing it by another 1,800 as soon as resources become available," he said.