State to send gardaí to help train Afghan police force

THE Department of Justice is moving forward with plans to send gardaí to Afghanistan to help train the country’s embattled police force as well as assisting the war-torn nation’s justice system with Irish lawyers.

Initially up to five gardaí of different ranks will be chosen to join the training force known as EUPOL, and are expected to arrive in Kabul, the capital, by the end of the year.

A sizeable number of gardaí have already expressed interest in the foreign postings, which will include increased salaries and allowances for tours of up to six months.