Garda Bill ‘will not lead to effective community policing’

A former vice-chairman of the North's Policing Board has said he believes the Garda Bill may not be effective in bringing about the right changes in community policing for the foreseeable future.

Denis Bradley made the comment in an address to the Labour Party's policy meeting in Cork today about how community policing works in the North.

He said he did not believe the latest legislation reforming the Gardaí would be enough on its own to achieve effective community policing.

He also said it would be a crime in itself if the Gardaí were to lose the trust of the Irish people that they have built up since the foundation of the State.