Statement released by the GRA implies that Garda strike will likely go ahead this Friday

The impending Garda strike looks like it will go ahead after the GRA released a statement this evening stating that they will carry through with their threats unless significant progress is made towards an increase in pay.

There was hope earlier this evening when a meeting at the Labour Court looked to be making some progress, while An Taoiseach Enda Kenny also stated that he would ask the Attorney General to help structure a way in which Gardaí would have access to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court.

Talks ended earlier however, and the GRA have outlined that they will go ahead with the first day of planned strike action this Friday.

The GRA will ballot its members on any non-binding recommendations from the Labour Court according to a statement.

"In order to progress the negotiations the GRA Central Executive Committee has agreed to ballot the membership of the GRA on any non binding recommendations of the Labour Court," it read.