The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has criticised the ‘take in first, and ask questions later’ approach to admitting trainees at the Garda College

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said there is a need to ensure that road-policing gardai are not exposed to ‘excessive levels of danger’.

It happened on the M50 near Finglas when two gardaí, a man and a woman, responded to a single car crash.

The unprecedented move comes amid ongoing discontent on a series of issues.

The Garda Representative Association said morale within the rank and file was in ‘tatters’.

The Minister for Justice said the only way to resolve the row is through talks.

The proposed move is one of a series of steps agreed by the Garda Representative Association.

GRA president Brendan O’Connor said he had ‘even less confidence’ in the Garda Commissioner now

The deterioration in relations comes after almost 99 per cent of GRA members who voted in a recent ballot expressed no confidence in the Garda Commissioner