THE GOVERNMENT HAS been urged to fill the dozens of senior ranks in the Gardaí which will become vacant later this month due to the public sector retirement scheme.

There are due to be 61 vacancies across the Garda Siochana, including 5 Assistant Commissioners, 8 Chief Superintendents, and 46 Superintendents.

“There are gaping holes in the senior ranks of the Gardaí which must be addressed before there is a severe impact on morale and tackling crime,” said Fianna Fáil’s Justice Spokesman Dara Calleary.

“We have already seen the number of gardai involved in the Anglo investigation down by more than half under this Government”.

Calleary called on Justice Minister Alan Shatter to take action on filling the vacant posts as soon as possible.

“It is essential that the public has confidence in the Gardaí,” said Calleary.

“There is already concern in communities across the country about the closure of Garda stations while there is no clear information being made available by Minister Shatter on the savings involved or how large parts of rural Ireland will continue to be policed and protected”.