Garda numbers at 'critically low level'

The General Secretary of the Association of Garda Superintendents is warning that the strength of the force is now at a critically low level.

Superintendent Pat McCabe is using the AGS annual conference to call for Garda recruitment to begin again as soon as possible.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter and the Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan will address the delegates in Naas in Co Kildare later today.

Superintendent Pat McCabe says the number of gardaí must not be allowed to fall below 13,000.

"Recruitment must be initiated again to sustain that," he said. "Because we're at a critically low level towards that 13,000 and it will take a period of time to fully train up somebody into a competent garda.

"So I would urge that recruitment does start sooner rather than later."