FF and SF clash over cuts to force

There were bitter exchanges between the two opposition parties when Fianna Fáil responded to Sinn Féin’s accusations over Garda cuts by making references to the IRA killing 17 years ago of Detective Jerry McCabe.

During leaders’ questions in the Dáil, Sinn Féin deputy leader, Mary Lou McDonald, criticised the closure of garda stations and cuts in numbers in the force.

“Fianna Fáil negotiated with the troika. At the time Fianna Fáil agreed with the troika to cut Garda numbers from 14,500 to 13,500 in 2011 and to 13,000 by 2014 — a total drop of 10%.”