A former special branch detective in Louth  - is warning future Governments - never to place an embargo on recruiting Gardaí. 

Cllr Richie Culhane says the announcement of 27 extra officers in the county - in the wake of Garda Tony Golden's death - will help boost morale.

One week on from the gunning down of Garda Golden - by a well known republican dissident - Cllr Culhane says concern is high in the area about the threat of dissidents.

He says today's announcement from Noirin O'Sullivan will help ease pressure on members.

However the now Fine Gael public representative says a lack of recruitment has caused damage:

The statement has been made just hours after the Garda Commissioner has been praised for the crack-down been placed on Louth crime-gangs. That full story can be found here.