Garda group challenges order over lobbying

A directive from Garda headquarters telling members of the force they are not entitled to lobby public representatives about the closure of Garda stations is to be challenged in the High Court.

Mr Justice Sean Ryan was told yesterday that the Garda commissioner issued the directive that members should not attempt to use influence concerning closures or perceived closures of stations.

John Rogers, counsel for the Garda Representative Association, told the court he was seeking leave to judicially review the directive, which had been issued through an assistant commissioner.