The country could soon be set to see further strike action as the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors have said they are to hold a special conference in June to discuss possible industrial action if the Government does not commit to pay restoration.
The possible strike action could come after the AGSI General Secretary John Jacob called on fellow officers to march on the Dáil in uniform. Mr Jacob also claimed he was even prepared to go to jail for initiating the proposed strike action. The association has claimed the unwanted but necessary strike is being scheduled because Garda morale is at an all time low, he also outlined the dangers of the job and most of the officers in the hall stood-up when asked had they ever been attacked on duty.
Meanwhile AGSI President-elect Antoinette Cunningham said such a move should not be seen as a political one. Mrs Cunningham told RTE: The proposed action could “be regarded as a level of frustration that our people feel … to highlight the lack of progress around any meaningful discussion around our pay”. Mrs Cunningham claimed the government have also caused a disservice to many communities after a number of stations have closed down. Mrs Cunningham further explained the sudden closures destroyed a relationship on which the gardaí relied and thrived.
Some stations no longer exist having been sold off for little money, she added, while some such as Stepaside in Co Dublin should never have been closed.