Criminals could infiltrate reserve force, warn gardaí

ASSOCIATES of criminals and subversives could infiltrate the new garda reserve force, garda representatives warned yesterday.

The Association of Garda Sergeants & Inspectors (AGSI) confronted Justice Minister Michael McDowell directly yesterday and expressed their total opposition to a reserve force.

"We had an open and frank meeting with the minister and we restated our total opposition to the concept and principle of a reserve police force. We don't see any need for it. We called on the minister to properly resource the force," said an AGSI spokesman.