Gardaí losing expert members through ‘ridiculous’ retirement age

THE Garda Síochána is losing around 370 experienced sergeants and inspectors every year because of a ‘ridiculous’ retirement age of 57, garda representatives said yesterday.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) said there should be a common retirement age of 60 the current retirement age for senior officers.

AGSI president Paschal Feeney said Justice Minister Michael McDowell had dangled the increased retirement age as a carrot for accepting the Garda Reserve. Mr Feeney said the issues were separate.