Concern over exodus of senior gardaí from force

THE gardaí are haemorrhaging key staff, with many senior officers quitting the force to avoid being hit with a threatened tax on retirement lump sums as well as the pension levy.

The mass exodus comes at a time when the Government has been criticised because of the rise in gangland and serious crime.

Gardaí can retire early if they have completed 30 years of service by the age of 50. The compulsory retirement age for senior officers is 60.