‘I would like to see more gardaí in Cork': Minister confirms decrease in garda numbers in city and county

THE Justice Minister has said she would like more gardaí in Cork, confirming a decrease in the number assigned to the county as of April of this year, compared to May of last year.

During a recent Dáil exchange, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West Aindrias Moynihan asked the minister about the number of gardaí available to police Cork city and county, and whether this figure is adequate.

In response, Ms McEntee said that she would like to see more gardaí in Cork and said that at the end of April 2024, the latest date for which figures are available, 1,275 Garda members were assigned to Cork.

Of these, 670 gardaí were assigned to the Cork City division, 324 to Cork north division, and 281 to Cork west division.

A year ago, at the end of May 2023, 1,313 gardaí were assigned to Cork, of whom 705 were assigned to Cork City division, 323 to Cork north division, and 285 to Cork west division.

Ms McEntee said she has been told by Garda authorities that 200 Garda staff are working alongside gardaí in Cork, a total that has doubled since 2015.

Impact on the ground 

“Obviously, there has been a larger decrease in the numbers in the Cork City division, but as more new members come through Templemore and are assigned across the country, I can assume, and will expect to see, those numbers increase again, as is the case in other counties,” Ms McEntee said.

The Minister said that nationwide, there are 1,000 fewer gardaí than there should be, a result of the impact of the pandemic on recruitment, but said there is a recruitment campaign for the Garda Reserve this month, as well as recruitment campaigns for new Garda staff.

The rate of people leaving An Garda Síochána is still below the rates found in police forces in other jurisdictions, she said.

Mr Moynihan said this drop in Garda numbers is having an impact in Cork. “The number of gardaí in the city has gone down from 705 to 670 and the county divisions have lost gardaí as well,” Mr Moynihan said.

“We see this impact on the ground and it is a great source of concern for many people,” he said.

'Cork will get its fair share'

Questioning what efforts are being made to fill certain posts within An Garda Síochána in Cork, Mr Moynihan raised concerns about the length of time it takes to fill some posts, leaving communities exposed.

“Competitions are run on an ongoing basis,” Ms McEntee said in response to the deputy.

“Panels are developed and then positions are filled. Where new Garda members go, or where serving members are redirected, must be a matter for the Garda commissioner.

“My job is to ensure the Garda and its members have the resources they need, the support they need and, as far as I can ensure it, that more people are going through Templemore to train to become gardaí and more civilian staff are being taken on.”

She said she has “no doubt that as the numbers continue to increase, Cork will get its fair share” and that vacant posts will be filled shortly.