Gardaí plan reserve force protests tonight

Gardaí have said that they will protest today over plans by the Government to introduce a Garda Reserve Force, with very little training.

Hundreds of gardaí, sergeants and inspectors are expected in Sligo tonight for the first of the gatherings.

Volunteers who sign up for the Garda Reserve will not go through the same training process as gardaí.

The Garda Representative Association said they expect the public to be supportive of the protests, as more and more members of the public have voiced their alarm at the proposals.

Spokesperson for the GRA, Michael O’Boyce said that people have told the organisation of their fears over the decline in numbers of gardaí on the streets.

He said that what the majority of people want is more fully-trained, fully-professional gardaí.