Garda reserve force - It’s time for truce in war of words

As expected, Justice Minister Michael McDowell attracted scathing criticism at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI).

He was subjected to the strongest criticism to date by AGSI president Paschal Feeney who accused the minister of trying to dismantle the gardaí, having a doctrinaire agenda and of having a Thatcherite approach.

Both the AGSI and the Garda Representative Association (GRA) are steadfastly united in their opposition to Mr McDowell’s 4,000-strong garda reserve, part of which he is adamant will be introduced next September.