A former garda has told Newstalk that cutbacks are “100% the reason” he left the force.

Niall O’Connor was a based in Limerick and he finished his work on July 24th.

He says that guards deal with “the worst humanity can offer” with very little back-up from superiors.

Mr. O’Neill went on to describe how morale on the force is at “absolutely rock bottom” and how the force is trying to do things ‘on the cheap’.

He says most gardai have no choice but to stay on the force.

He spoke with Lunchtime here on Newstalk.

He began by explaining why he made the choice to become a garda.