Gardaí warned against political campaign

The threat by rank-and-file gardaí to target Government TDs in marginal constituencies over the proposed Garda reserve is a grave error, Justice Minister Michael McDowell said tonight.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) said it would be waiting in the long grass to use its voting power if Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats went ahead with plans to introduce the volunteer force.

Mr McDowell said the threat had made him even more determined to press on with his plans.

“From my own point of view, the suggestion made that particular TDs would be targeted is another very grave error. No Minister for Justice and no Government would be worth its salt if it were to capitulate to that kind of threat,” he said.

The first advertisements for recruits to the Garda Reserve will be published in newspapers next month. Although they will be unpaid, those who volunteer will be given preference over non-volunteers when they apply to join the full-time force.

Mr McDowell was not invited to speak at the GRA’s annual conference in Galway today, but he was invited to its banquet.

He said it was not the function of the GRA to tell Gardai how to vote and said a small group of people had brought the association into a political cul de sac.

“The great majority of members of An Garda Siochana do not look to Garda Egan (GRA president), or Garda PJ Stones (GRA general secretary) or Garda O’Donnell (GRA outgoing president) for guidance. They are mature, intelligent people who have their own judgement.”

The Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy echoed Mr McDowell’s criticism of the GRA leadership, saying he was disappointed and annoyed at their announcement.

“When applicants join the Garda Siochana, they swear to serve and be apolitical. I cannot accept in any way people in this organisation becoming involved in politics.”

Mr Conroy also said that while he was not trying to break a nut with a sledgehammer, the GRA had to recognise that the people of Ireland had approved the reserve when it was passed by the Dail in the Garda Act 2005.

He said he would wait and see before deciding what to do if gardai did not co-operate with the Reserve.

“ But you can take it I will not be sitting on the fence.”

But Mr Conroy did meet a long-running GRA demand when he announced that 11,000 anti-stab vests had been ordered at a cost of 3.5 million to provide protection for all members of the force.

Earlier, the newly elected GRA president John Egan warned the association would be looking to exercise its voting influence in advance of the general election, as part of its campaign against the Garda Reserve.

“There are marginal constituencies all around the country and we will be targeting those constitutents. We will be waiting in the long grass for them because we feel very angered,” he said.

He referred to constituencies like Tipperary North, which is the home of the Garda College in Templemore, and Laois/Offaly, where a garda backlash could cost Government TDs their seats.