The Garda Commissioner has been met with silence following his address to rank and file Gardaí at the GRA conference this evening. Martin Callinan spoke to 170 delegates amid controversy over claims by the Garda Representative Association (GRA) that crime statistics are being "massaged" to look better.

But Commissioner Callinan says he knows for a fact that all reported crimes are recorded and investigated fully - and has says claims by the GRA that new guidelines have been issued on the recategorisation of offences are simply "not true".

The row between Commissioner Martin Callinan and the GRA over crime statistics began when GRA President John Parker claimed some offences like burglaries are being categorised as lesser CRIMES in order to "massage" the figures.

But speaking in Westport this evening Commissioner Callinan said he is satisfied John Parker has no evidence to support the claims.

"I sought clarification from the President of the Association and he's provided that clarification as I understand it" he said.

"(He) has indicated that he didn't have any information that would indicate that there was anything wrong in that context. SO I'm relived to hear that, because I know for a certain fact that...certainly it is the case when burglaries are reported and there's nothing taken that they are actually reported as burglaries - I've seen many, many instances of that" he added.

Commissioner Callinan was met with stony silence before and after his address to delegates this evening as he told them he will be a strong voice for members of the force.

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