The head of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors says he's willing to be jailed for striking if progress isn't made on their pay.

Mid-ranking gardai have agreed to begin a campaign of industrial action from today - which will progress to an illegal strike if there's no progress by June.

The AGSI annual conference has heard of horrific abuse suffered by gardai on a daily basis.

Juliette Gash reports from Westport;