29/04/2010

Ahern Hits Back At GRA

The Minister for Justice has called for an apology from the Garda Representative Association (GRA) over its attempts to "politicise the force".

Dermot Ahern's statement today came after he pulled out of speaking at the GRA annual conference over a speech planned by the association's president which said the Government, Fianna Fáil and himself had been "corrupted by years in power".

Mtr Ahern said today there was cross-party agreement bar one that the GRA had crossed the line by the remarks.

Mr Ahern was speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary.

Mr Ahern added that as long as he was the Minister for Justice, the GRA would never become a trade union, and accused the association of politicising the force.

The Garda Commissioner said that he had called in GRA General Secretary PJ Stone and new GRA President Damien McCarthy to explain their actions.

Fachtna Murphy said he would discuss the issue with them at Garda Headquarters tomorrow morning.

The Minister also announced a new garda recruitment campaign would begin at the end of the year.

He said he had intended to announce this at the GRA conference before he withdrew.

(DW/BMcc)

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