Nationally the Operating Model will see the number of Garda Divisions reduce from 28 to 21.

Councillor Shane P. O’Reilly says what is proposed is to have a “behind-closed-doors” committee.

Minister Humphreys criticised comments made this week by Sinn Fein.

Councillor John Paul Feeley has called on the Commissioner "to reverse the decision".

From Wednesday, the Criminal Justice Miscellaneous Provisions Act increases the maximum sentence for assaulting or threatening to assault a garda or other on-duty emergency worker from seven to 12 years.

Gardai confirmed to Northern Sound that the elderly local man received medical treatment following the incident.

Last year, 107 members of An Garda Síochána resigned from the force.

Early yesterday afternoon, in a separate incident in Tipperary, a man in his 50s died after a crash involving a car and a truck.