McDowell wins first battle in reserve roll-out

JUSTICE MINISTER Michael McDowell yesterday claimed victory in the first battle over the implementation of the Garda Reserve.

Both of the two garda associations at loggerheads with the minister over the voluntary force have advised their members to carry out work in relation to applications for the reserve.

Late last night the Garda Representative Association (GRA) joined the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) in confirming it had told its members to co-operate with the selection and interview processes and thus abide by the law. This is despite an AGSI policy of non-cooperation formally, albeit narrowly, adopted at its annual conference last April.