Garda retirement age increased to 60

TÁNAISTE and Justice Minister Michael McDowell has increased the retirement age for rank-and-file gardaí, sergeants and inspectors from 57 to 60.

The retirement age is already set at 60 for senior officers — those of superintendent rank and above.

Garda representative associations had argued for several years that members of the lower ranks should also be allowed continue until they turned 60.

Earlier this year, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (ASGI) warned that about 370 experienced officers were being lost every year because of the “ridiculous” retirement age of 57.

Speaking at the association’s annual conference in April, ASGI president Paschal Feeney said: “Relatively young, fit and experienced members are being turfed out because of this arbitrary rule. The force is losing a vast amount of local knowledge and expertise each year.”

That situation will now change following Mr McDowell’s decision to introduce a common retirement age.

“The State requires the services of experienced officers,” Mr McDowell said. “The regulations I have made increasing the retirement age for gardaí, sergeants and inspectors from 57 to 60 will help maximise garda strength and ensure continuity of key skills within An Garda Síochána.”

The new retirement age, which takes effect immediately, is one of a series of measures Mr McDowell announced earlier this month to combat rising levels of gangland violence and gun crime.

As part of those measures, the strength of the force will be increased by 1,000 to 15,000 by 2009. The Garda Reserve will also be increased from 900 to 1,500. More civilians are to be recruited to the force to carry out administrative tasks and free up officers to fight crime.

A legislative package will also be announced in January to strengthen bail laws.