28/04/2010

Ahern Pulls Out Of GRA Meeting Over Critical Speech

The Minister for Justice has pulled out of his scheduled appearance at the Garda Representative Association annual conference over an anticipated critical speech.

Dermot Ahern has refused to address gardaí in Limerick this afternoon after a furore emerged over a leaked speech expected to be given by President of the GRA Michael O'Boyce.

In the speech, which was circulated but not delivered, Mr O'Boyce criticised the Government, the Fianna Fáil party and the Minister for Justice.

Despite some Government pressure the GRA President said earlier this afternoon he was not prepared to change that speech and following that decision, the Minister for Justice pulled out of the conference.

In the speech, Mr O'Boyce was to say that the Government has been corrupted by years of power and has lost touch with the reality of life on a modest salary.

The speech also outlined to the Minister that the Government was truly a Government of national sabotage whose only agenda was to protect "economic traitors".

Relations between the Government and Gardaí are said to be now at an all time low.

GRA general secretary PJ Stone told 160 delegates that the GRA president wouldn’t be reading out his speech because Mr Ahern wouldn’t be there to defend himself.

However, according to reports the undelivered speech was still managed to earn Mr O’Boyce a standing ovation after the Gardaí rank and file attendees were asked to show their appreciation for how their president was representing their interests.

(DW/GK)


Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

29 April 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".
09 August 2012
Gardaí 'Seriously Hampered' By Lack Of Patrol Cars
Gardaí say they are being seriously hampered as they do not have enough patrol cars to properly serve their communities. The Department of Justice has issued a statement saying: "Garda authorities have confirmed they are satisfied that a comprehensive policing service continues to be provided throughout the country".
10 February 2009
Unions Threaten 'Nation Wide Action'
The government could be facing far-reaching action over their recent money saving policies, according to union leaders today. In a dramatic speech this afternoon, the leader of one of Ireland's largest Unions, Siptu, said there would be a "national campaign" if the current trend of cuts in employment and workers wages continued.
10 November 2008
Fine Gael TD Says Harney Should Consider Position
A Fine Gael TD has called for Mary Harney to consider her position if she doesn't reverse the cervical cancer vaccine cut. It is the second time the Minister for Health has seen her job in jeopardy following the dissolving of her political party, the Progressive Democrats, last week.
04 July 2014
National Oversight And Audit Commission Established
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr Phil Hogan has announced the establishment of the National oversight and Audit Commission, (NoAC), for the local government sector.