Garda retirements - Stood down far too early

IT seems strange that An Garda Síochána may be weakened by a very large number of officer retirements in the immediate future.

Up to 12 superintendents are expected to seek voluntary retirement this year. Three detective superintendents, all Dublin based, have retired or will soon do so on reaching the compulsory retirement age of 60.

More than half of the country’s 180 superintendents are eligible for retirement. At a time when drug gangs pose such a threat to society, surely compulsory retirement at 60 is an anachronism? Some officers will wish to retire but some may not.

After all, private sector opportunities are not as abundant as they once were for retired Garda officers.