Radical changes to the Gardaí could see a dramatic cut to the number of senior officers.

The shake-up is expected to be presented to Government shortly - and will see a new focus on regional policing.

This report from the Garda Inspectorate came about following allegations from whistleblowers that crimes like murder and rape were not properly investigated.

It's expected to strongly criticise the existing policing model and procedures - and recommend setting up new regional serious crime squads.

It's also expected to call for new serious crime squads in each of the Garda regions - as well as giving individual superintendents control of specific tasks - such as traffic - in each area - rather than overall control

Already, senior gardaí fear the Inspectorate's report could mean cuts to the number in the force's upper ranks

These changes could have a major impact on Dublin-based national units - some of which may be decentralised.