McDowell facing open revolt over garda reserve

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell faces a possible revolt from middle-ranking gardaí as they draw up plans this week to oppose the introduction of the controversial garda reserve.

The proposed 4,000-strong reserve force, which will be introduced by September, will be the burning issue at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), which begins this evening in Killarney, Co Kerry.

Some 23 of the 28 branches in the AGSI have put down motions in protest at the reserve. These range from continued opposition to an outright policy of non-cooperation. The latter would bring the association in direct conflict with both the minister and the Garda Commissioner.

The national executive of the AGSI has already adopted a policy of non-cooperation, along with the national executive of the Garda Representative Association (GRA), which represents rank-and-file members.

Garda sources last night described as “unprecedented” the sheer number of motions on one single issue and said this reflected the level of anger among members.

A motion for non-cooperation is being proposed by four branches, while nine other branches have called for the reserve to be withdrawn. A further 10 branches have called on the national executive to oppose the reserve.

Mr McDowell will address the conference tonight and is expected to tell officers the garda reserve is the law of the land and has to be implemented by members.

He has already warned garda associations of “self-destruction” if they conduct a policy of non-cooperation with the reserve.

The row between representative associations and the minister and the commissioner, Noel Conroy, increased last week. Mr Conroy will address the conference tomorrow.

This followed a trip the previous weekend by Mr McDowell and Mr Conroy to Chester in England where they attended the national conference of the UK Special Constabulary, upon which the minister modelled the garda reserve.

In his first public statement in support of the reserve, Mr Conroy said the Oireachtas had legislated for the reserve and that he intended to implement it regardless of the opposition of the staff associations.

There followed a war of words between Mr McDowell and GRA p resident Dermot O’Donnell, who described the behaviour of the minister and the commissioner as “shameful and unbecoming”.

The AGSI conference will also hear a motion calling for new provisions obliging late-opening pubs and clubs to use only plastic containers in order to reduce injuries through assaults and accidents.