Gardaí set to decide on further protests

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors begin a two-day meeting today to decide whether it will escalate a campaign against cuts to members’ premium payments.

If it decides to follow the example of the Garda Representative Association and refuse to carry out overtime on St Patrick’s Day, this year’s Dublin parade and other events around the country could be put in doubt over safety concerns.

It emerged yesterday that GRA members will refuse to make themselves available for overtime to provide security for the Dublin parade, expected to attract 500,000 spectators.