Dublin has been allocated almost half of all newly-qualified gardai – despite having less than a third of Ireland’s population, it has emerged.
A Mirror analysis has found that some 3,781 probationer gardai have come out the gates of the force college in Templemore, Co Tipperary, to stations around the country – but a whopping 1,667 were sent to Dublin.
That means 44% of all trainees were sent to the Garda Dublin Metropolitan Region, the force area that covers Dublin city and county.
But that’s despite the number of people in county Dublin being some 1.43 million, or around 28% of the Republic’s population of five million.
The figures emerged in a Department of Justice answer to a written question from independent Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae.
He asked Justice Minister Helen McEntee to outline the numbers of gardai who have passed out of Templemore – and what areas they were sent to.
She said it was up to Garda bosses to decide where officers were deployed, but did provide Departmental data on allocations.
Ms McEntee said: ‘The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the deployment of Garda members.
“As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
“I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.
“I further understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
“I am also pleased to note that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, a total of 3,781 Garda members have been assigned to Garda Divisions throughout the country.”
The figures show that 1,667 of the new gardai were allocated to Dublin.
The next biggest allocation went to Cork, with a population of around 540,000 and an allocation of 236 officers.
There were 169 allocated in Louth – in part due to the vicious gang war that convulsed Drogheda, but has now receded because of a major Garda crackdown on the gangs.
Some 102 officers were sent to Tipperary and a further 133 were allocated to Limerick.
The smallest allocations were 39 to Roscommon/Longford and 34 to Mayo.
Deputy Healy-Rae called for more garda resources to be sent to rural areas of Ireland.
And he added: “The Government and An Garda Siochana think that there is nothing in Ireland outside of the Red Cow roundabout.
“And they think that crime stops at the Red Cow roundabout.
“We need policing in the regions.
“I would like to see balance.”
Deputy Healy-Rae also said he felt sorry for young gardai allocated to Dublin – and who could just not afford to live there.
A Garda spokesman said last night: “An Garda Síochána does not comment on remarks made by third parties.
“Garda Management monitors the allocation of all resources in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.
“Senior Garda Management is satisfied that an adequate policing service continues to be delivered and that current structures in place meet the requirement to deliver an effective and efficient policing service to the community.
“This situation is continually reviewed.”
Where probationer gardai were allocated in Ireland between 2017 and January 2022
Area No of gardai
Dublin: 1,667
Meath: 128
Westmeath: 50
Wicklow: 73
Kildare: 169
Laois/Offaly: 133
Kilkenny/Carlow: 99
Wexford: 114
Waterford: 136
Cork: 236
Kerry: 61
Limerick: 133
Clare: 51
Tipperary: 102
Mayo: 34
Galway: 73
Roscommon/Longford: 39
Cavan/Monaghan: 138
Louth: 167
Donegal: 119
Sligo/Leitrim: 58
Retained in college: 1
