McDowell set for criticism from senior Garda

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell is due to come in for stinging criticism of his conduct when the annual conference of the…

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell is due to come in for stinging criticism of his conduct when the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) begins later today.

Top of the agenda for the three-day meeting in Killarney is Mr McDowell's plan to force through a Garda Reserve despite the opposition of full-time gardaí.

The Garda Representative Association - which represents rank-and-file members - is expected to endorse a formal policy of non co-operation with reservists next month. AGSI delegates will debate three motions on the matter today that include adopting a similar position.

Mr McDowell is due to address delegates at the conference tonight but will first hear from AGSI's president Paschal Feeney, who is due to condemn him for his failure to engage in proper consultation.

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The Minister has said 900 members would be recruited before the end to the year, with a view to creating a force of 4,000.

Both the main Garda representative bodies are furious at Mr McDowell's public pronouncements about their concerns, including his claim they would be breaking the law and defying the will of the people if they refuse to work with reservists.

Mr Feeney is expected to tell Mr McDowell that his members will not break the law but will not be co-operating with the reserve force.

He is expected to say that the money allocated to the reserve should instead be used to address long-standing problems such as substandard equipment - including vehicles and police stations - and the need for more training.

Gardaí say the reserve is an attempt to get policing on the cheap; will compromise the safety of full-time officers; denigrate their profession; and make their job more difficult. They are also concerned that reservists may abuse their position.

Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy is due to address delegates tomorrow, and they will later vote on the 56 motions before them.