Garda reform up for discussion at Labour think-in

The Labour Party is due to focus on the issues of Garda reform and community policing on the concluding day of its two-day policy meeting in Cork today.

Denis Bradley, a former vice-chairman of the North's Policing Board, is due to address the think-in about the experience of community policing in the North and how it could be applied in the Republic.

Labour has already been focusing on law-and-order issues as it sets out its position for next year's election, saying community policing is the best way to prevent crimes and make communities safer.

It has also proposed local policing forums to give residents a greater say in the policing of their areas and an independent Garda authority to improve the force's accountability.