AGSI chief admits Garda fleet is a concern

The President of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors is admitting that the state of the fleet of patrol cars is a cause for concern.

It comes after a former Garda today claimed that the force is on the verge of collapse because of continued cutbacks.

Niall O'Connor - who quit the force last month - believes that morale is at rock bottom and says that some of the Garda vehicles would be impounded for being unsafe if they were driven by members of the public.

AGSI President Willie Gleeson admits that there are ongoing concerns over the fleet of Garda patrol cars and how it impacts on the public,

"The biggest piece of equipment and most important is the patrol vehicle. Our transport fleet is in difficulty, we are losing approximately one vehicle a day.

"This year we expect to receive 40 to 50 new vehicles.

Those figures do not stack up and we will not be able to deliver a proper service to the public."