The decision by the Garda Representative Association not to invite the Garda Commissioner to its annual conference "reflects the breakdown in trust" between Drew Harris and rank-and-file gardaí, the body has said.
The GRA Central Executive Committee voted by a two-thirds majority not to extend an invitation to Drew Harris to attend the conference in Westport, Co Mayo, in April and address the delegates.
It is the first time any garda association has declined to invite the Garda Commissioner to its annual conference.
The association, which represents over 10,000 rank-and-file gardaí, voted no confidence in Mr Harris last September by an overwhelming majority.
The GRA also refused to invite former justice minister Michael McDowell to attend its conference in 2006, but he was invited to attend the evening dinner.
Mr Harris has not been invited to the forthcoming GRA conference annual dinner either.
Read more: A first in GRA's history as Commissioner not invited to conference
In a statement, the GRA said the decision was arrived at following "a very honest and forthright debate" and consultation with divisional representatives "during which the strength of feeling about unresolved issues was very evident".
The association said that in light of the fact that over 98% of its members who voted declared no confidence in Mr Harris, it "could not maintain credibility" if it afforded him an opportunity to articulate a management message.
The GRA also accused the Commissioner of creating "an overarching atmosphere of fear ... by the overzealous application of discipline and oversight" which is impacting gardaí's ability to do their job with confidence.
It also says that morale in An Garda Síochána is "in tatters."
The Garda Commissioner has said that he has not been formally notified by the GRA of its decision not to invite him to its annual conference.
In a statement this morning, Garda Headquarters said that Commissioner Harris is not aware of the rationale for the decision and therefore cannot comment further.
The Minister for Justice has described the decision by the GRA as a "personalisation" of the issues between them.
In a statement, Helen McEntee confirmed that she has been invited to attend the conference, but has not said if she will be attending.
The minister also said she "regrets the repeated personalisation" of the ongoing industrial relations issues because she believes dialogue and interaction are the only way forward in such situations.
There has been no comment from Garda Headquarters on the matter.
