Authority fears Garda boss age limit may stall entries

The Policing Authority has expressed fears that the Government’s refusal to change the mandatory retirement age for the Garda chief, currently set at 60, might “narrow the field” of candidates for the job.

The competition for the next Garda Commissioner was launched last month by the Public Appointments Service following extensive discussions within and between the authority and the Department of Justice.

These have been taking place since former commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan dramatically retired without notice last September.