Gardaí claim Government has too much power over policing

Politics has to be taken out of policing to protect it from Government interference, middle-ranking gardaí have said.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said the Government and the justice minister have too much power over the force.

General secretary Joe Dirwan said an independent police authority — such as that in the North — should be set up to replace the powers and functions held by the Government.