Shatter: GRA claim 'not a credible allegation'

Justice Minister Alan Shatter has rejected an accusation from rank-and-file gardaí that he is being soft on crime.

Garda Representative Association president Damien McCarthy today accused the Minister of betraying frontline gardaí and creating "lawless badlands" through budget cutbacks. He was speaking at the association's annual conference.

Minister Shatter insisted the Government is focused on tackling crime. "We've been extremely active in a whole broad range of areas," he said.

"We know from the crime statistics there has been a substantial reduction in crime in every area for the first 12 months we've been in office, save for the one area of burglaries.

"We've enacted new legistlation to deal with the issue of white collar crime in record time so I don't believe (the accusation that I am soft on crime) is a credible allegation."

Earlier Damien McCarthy said that rank-and-file gardaí felt betrayed and angered by Mr Shatter’s shortcomings.

“So far, you have been soft on crime, soft on the causes of crime, and soft on the proceeds of crime,” McCarthy said.

“I conclude that your appointment has so far failed to have any significant impact on policing, you have achieved no more than your predecessors”