TD says figures show a Cork garda staffing ‘crisis’

A Cork TD has warned of a “worrying downward trend” in garda staffing across the city and county, as data shows that the entire county has lost more than 50 gardaí since the end of 2022.

Figures provided to The Echo by Sinn Féin Cork North Central TD Thomas Gould, which were collated in response to a parliamentary question, show that as of May 31, 2025, there were 1,279 gardaí across the Cork city and county divisions.

This latest statistic is in comparison to 1,331 gardaí across Cork city and county divisions on December 31, 2022.

This represents a decrease of 52 gardaí across Cork, in what Mr Gould describes as “a crisis in policing in Cork”.

The data further showed that garda numbers in Cork dropped consistently year-on-year, starting with 1,331 gardaí at the end of 2022 — of which 709 were in the Cork city division, 333 were in the Cork North division, and 289 were in the Cork West division.

COMPARED

This compared with 1,304 at the end of 2023 — of which 699 were in the Cork city division, 322 were in the Cork North division, and 283 were in the Cork West division.

At the end of 2024, there were 1,282 gardaí in the county — of which 673 were in the Cork city division and 609 were in the Cork county division.

The figure at the end of May was 1,279 gardaí, of which 663 were in the Cork city division and 616 in the Cork county division.

“What we can see from these figures is that the number of Garda staff has reduced from a peak in 2024 consistently to May 2025,” said Mr Gould.

“This suggests that there is no replacement recruitment for those leaving the force.

“This is very worrying — Garda staff are vital to ensuring that uniform gardaí are on the streets, are visible, and are not stuck paper pushing in stations.

The need for Garda staff has not reduced but we are seeing the numbers reducing.

“These reductions are likely matched with an increase in gardaí stuck in stations signing passports and answering phones. I think it’s very important that the government is honest with the people of Cork in relation to Garda numbers — we hear these announcements of numbers, but what we’re not hearing is how many gardaí are retiring, leaving or moving.

“The figures are really shocking — people are saying to me that they’re not seeing gardaí on the streets. If people see gardaí on patrol they feel reassured, but they’re not, so they don’t feel that way.”

Mr Gould further highlighted how the number of recruits coming out of Templemore is “not keeping up with the amount that are retiring, leaving or being redeployed”.

“What happens when you have a situation where there’s not enough gardaí visible, you see an increase in crime — anything from shoplifting to drug dealing.

“We need to have enough resources and enough gardaí to tackle crime, because if we don’t, it’ll only get worse, until something tragic happens.

“I do want to compliment the gardaí we do have, who are understaffed and under-resourced. It’s a tough job they’re doing, and it’s a lot tougher when they don’t have enough members.

“Being a garda was always seen as being a good job, but speaking to gardaí now they’re struggling — they’re not paid enough and there’s a serious risk that we will lose more.

“We were all pleased to hear the news that Cork would receive additional probationer gardaí this year.

“However, these newly-qualified recruits cannot be used to fill gaps in Garda staffing. There is a crisis in policing in Cork. We need to see real investment and that has to include keeping Garda staffing numbers at peak level and increasing them.”