Garda association says dispute with commissioner 'is personal'

The President of the AGSI has launched a stinging attack on the Garda Commissioner, saying she’s treating officers with disdain.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors is meeting in Co Meath, where Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan has heard a volley of criticism.

The AGSI said her lack of engagement with them on critical issues is disdainful.

The organisation’s President Tim Galvin said there are huge problems which are being ignored.

"It is personal - there are huge problems. We 're being stripped resources - we have no funding, we have no IT," he said.

"I don't know how many times over the last number of years I have stated that the administration burden is becoming too much.

"It's now reached critical - no more 'sticky plasters' - she has to deal with [it]. A lot of sergeants are [saying] they've 30 years done, they've had enough, they're going to walk away.

"She's treated us with disdain and she's ignored us."

Commissioner O'Sullivan, however, has rejected the allegations by the AGSI that she is not engaging with the organisation.

"I don't see any of our members as a nuisance," she said. "I think I'm on record from the very first day as saying that we will engage with our people in a very constructive way, and that will remain my position."