2,600 gardaí driving patrol cars without qualifications

The Oireachtas Justice Committee has heard that around 2,600 gardaí are driving patrol cars without the necessary qualifications.

The comments were made by Kathleen O'Toole, the chief of the Garda Inspectorate.

Inspector O'Toole said these gardaí were operating on so-called "chief's permission" without having undergone a driving course.

She says this policy is putting both the officers themselves and the lives of the public at risk.