Retired gardaí ‘could stand in next election’

RETIRED gardaí could stand as general election candidates if Justice Minister Michael McDowell does not withdraw his controversial plans for a 4,000-strong Reserve Force.

Serving gardaí are not allowed to stand as election candidates, but senior officials within the GRA, which represents 9,500 rank-and-file gardaí, yesterday said they would back any retired member who chose to stand in the election on an anti-reserve ticket.

The GRA is determined to force the minister’s hand by targeting PD and marginal Government seats, especially in constituencies like Laois/Offaly, Tipperary North, Longford/Westmeath and Galway West.