Garda strength edges towards critical levels

Garda numbers are set to drop as low as 12,600, despite the emergence of 300 trainee garda recruits during the year, police representatives have warned.

The strength of the force could fall further depending on the number of gardaí who retire during the year.

The effective strength of 12,600 is 400 below the minimum floor previously set by former Garda commissioner Martin Callinan.