Calls for gardaí to be run by an independent body

THE general secretary of the Garda Representative Association has accused officials within the Department of Justice of political interference in the running of the force.

In a strongly worded attack, PJ Stone said he wanted to see the introduction of an independent Police Authority which wouldn’t be accountable to the department.

Mr Stone said he was basing his comments on the recent arrest of a Dublin-based journalist following a complaint made directly to the Garda Commissioner, Noel Conroy, from a senior official in the department.