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Budget to spur garda exodus, Ahern warned
12 April 2009 By John Burke
There will be an exodus of top ranking gardaí from the force because of recent government measures, senior gardaí have warned justice minister Dermot Ahern.
A high-level delegation of gardaí has told Ahern that the public sector pension levy and pressure on Garda budgets is causing senior gardaí to opt for retirement. The expected haemorrhage of officers at the rank of superintendent and higher will have a dramatic effect on the Garda fight against organised crime, Ahern was told.
Following the publication of the supplementary budget last week, three officers at superintendent level tendered their resignation to Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy, The Sunday Business Post has learned. At least two senior commanders heading major anticrime operations in north Dublin have indicated they will also be stepping down early.
More than 100 of the 180 gardaí at superintendent rank are aged 50 or over, making them eligible to apply for the government’s early retirement scheme announced by finance minister Brian Lenihan in the budget last week.
The delegation of senior gardaí told Ahern that curbs on promotion in the force and increased pressure to implement tight budgets were having a major influence on fast tracking plans among senior officers to retire early this year.
Senior garda sources said that hints by Lenihan last week that he would be looking at taxing lump sum payments on retirement had also prompted a ‘‘flurry of activity’’ among senior officers seeking professional advice on their financial position.
Murphy has held discussions with officials from Ahern’s office in recent days. Ahern is expected to ask Lenihan to allow promotions to be made at the top ranks to counter the expected exodus of senior commanders. There are a dozen garda inspectors listed for promotion to superintendent, and five superintendents scheduled for promotion. However, promotions must now obtain the approval of the Minister for Finance before going ahead
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