TWENTY top gardai have retired in the last three months -- prompting fears of a 'brain drain' in the force next year.

The departures mean there will be fewer chief superintendents and superintendents in 2011 than there were in 1999.

Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern gave the details to Fine Gael Justice spokesperson Alan Shatter in response to a parliamentary question.

Mr Ahern said: "As of December 10, 2010, two chief superintendents, nine superintendents and nine inspectors have either retired or declared their intention to retire between October 1 and December 31."

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There were 214 chief superintendents and superintendents in 1999 compared to just 206 from January onwards.

Under the four-year recovery plan announced this month, garda numbers are to be reduced by 1,500 -- more than 10pc of the force.

The reductions in personnel, which will be achieved through retirements and natural wastage, will reduce the number of gardai from 14,500 to 13,000.

Falling numbers at senior levels in the force are likely to lead to a lack of experience combating serious crime -- a 'brain drain' which could hinder the fight against organised crime.

The plan also states there will be €25m savings from unspecified garda management efficiencies and €140m in overtime, allowances and transport costs.

The President of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) has heavily criticised the decision to down-size the force.

"Garda numbers are vital to stem rising crime, the proposed further reduction is erroneous and a false economy," said GRA president Damien McCarthy.

"It is accepted worldwide that crime increases during a recession or when police numbers and morale are reduced. All these conditions are prevalent in Ireland." He said the cuts follow announcements by Justice Minister Dermot Ahern last June of 100 new garda recruits which, he said, had failed to materialise.

GANGLAND

"We have been eagerly awaiting the 100 new recruits promised in June, and to find that our numbers are to be further reduced is shocking and gravely disappointing.

"Gardai are struggling to cope with the increased workload with fewer staff, and we fear the service we provide the public will suffer. How can we do our job with 13,000 gardai when only a few years ago the Government told the country we needed 16,000?"

Joe Dirwan, the general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) also criticised the move in light of crime figures across the country: "The demands on policing are increasing. There have been 20 gangland murders so far this year."

hnews@herald.ie

- Cormac Murphy