Garda cars ‘can’t catch criminals’

THE majority of the country’s 1,328 Garda patrol cars are less powerful than some family saloons, and are incapable of pursuing dangerous criminals in high-speed chases, and not sturdy enough to protect their occupants if rammed by more powerful vehicles.

This claim has been made by the president of the Garda Representative Association, Michael O’Boyce, and TD Sean Sherlock, who acquired figures on patrol cars from the Department of Justice.

According to figures released by Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern, nearly three-in-four vehicles used by the gardaí are in the 100 brake horse power range, while the remaining 25% are more powerful at 140bhp.