Outmoded equipment, broken radios and delayed delivery of promised new supplies are impeding the work of ordinary gardaí, according to the president of the Garda Representative Association.

John Egan said Garda investigative work was being compromised by criminals routinely listening in on its radio network.

While criminals were buying more and more sophisticated equipment, gardaí had to work with insufficient resources and outmoded equipment, Mr Egan said yesterday. New equipment had been promised, but the delivery dates have been put back repeatedly.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio, Mr Egan issued a plea for the same kind of long-term injection of resources to fight the evil of gangland crime that was seen after the murders of Veronica Guerin and Jerry McCabe in 1996.

"Back then, resources were pumped into the force and when they were, we were able to do our job properly. We were able to prove that when resourced properly and given the right support we can deal effectively with this type of evil."

Gardaí had been promised a secure new national radio system "since before this millennium started," he pointed out. "The Taoiseach said if the radios are broken we should fix them. We reckon they're too old and the parts are too hard to get."

Officers were also promised personal-issue bulletproof vests rather than vest being shared among unit members. "We're told they're coming and we realise they're coming, but it's taking so long for them to be delivered."

There were similar delays in the delivery of anti-stab vests and extendable batons, and gardaí also needed incapacitating sprays to bring the force up to best international practice for dealing with public disorder at night.

Stab-proof vests were currently only available in a pilot scheme in Tallaght, he said.

"The deadlines for delivery of these vital resources are being put back time after time. It's only now that we're getting the safer patrol cars we've always sought. We want to make our jobs safer. We recognise strides have been made in recruiting gardaí and top class facilities have been put in place, but it's not happening fast enough." He said a long-term solution was needed. The Garda, like the health service, was coming from a low base and were trying to play catch up.

© 2006 The Irish Times