Minister Jim O’Callaghan publishes 2024 Annual Report of An Garda Síochána
- Published on: 9 December 2025
- Last updated on: 7 February 2026
- Minister and Garda Commissioner commend the invaluable work of Gardaí in communities across the country
- report highlights continued efforts to boost Garda recruitment during 2024
- body worn cameras introduced, public order policing strengthened and targeted operation to tackle retail crime across 2024
The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan has today published the 2024 Annual Report of An Garda Síochána.
The report highlights the breadth, variety and complexity of policing activities undertaken by An Garda Síochána across the country, along with the work of targeted operations and specialist units.
Minister O’Callaghan said:
“I am pleased to publish this report today which highlights the invaluable work and successes of An Garda Siochana during 2024.
"An Garda Siochana is unique amongst policing services, as it is responsible for not only policing, but the security of the State as well. It is a testament to the professionalism and integrity of members and staff that the public service they provide is to such a high standard. The annual report captures the breadth of duties carried out and the extent of the positive impact they have on our communities.
"I would like to particularly commend the work our Gardaí do to support victims of crime and their focus on domestic sexual and gender-based violence last year.”
2024 was notable for significant efforts to boost recruitment into An Garda Síochána. The government increased the age of entry limit from 35 to 50 and increased the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 62. During the year 601 Gardaí were attested and deployed to stations around the country. 625 Garda Staff were also recruited during the year.
In May 2024, the Proof-of-Concept for Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) began with over 700 Gardaí across Store Street, Kevin Street, Pearse Street in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, Henry Street (Limerick) and Waterford Garda Stations issued BWCs to support everyday operational policing. The cameras have assisted investigations, de-escalated potentially dangerous situations and are a key part of cultivating an information-led policing service.
Public order policing was also boosted in 2024 with an additional €6 million in funding for stronger incapacitant spray; 600 smaller round shields; and an expanded and enhanced public order fleet (15 public order vans). The procurement process for two water cannons began in 2024 and they were delivered in early 2025. Furthermore, the capability of the Public Order Unit was expanded through increased training with over 1,500 personnel trained nationally.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said:
“I join the Minister for Justice in welcoming the publication of An Garda Síochána’s Annual Report for 2024. Great strides were made during 2024 in paving the way for delivery of some key projects supporting keeping the public and our personnel safe. These included the roll out of a proof of concept for body worn cameras and additional safety equipment issued to all frontline Gardaí. Also we have been in a position to put more information in the hands of our Gardaí through the delivery of our mobility device and associated applications. A significant development in this space was the addition of the Irish Motor Insurance Database app.
"Health and wellbeing supports were further enhanced during 2024 with more than 2,200 personnel trained in our Mental Health First Aid programme.
"Of course, as the Minister has outlined, An Garda Síochána is committed to increasing our strength to enable us to do more for communities right around the country. The recruitment campaigns for Gardaí and Garda Reserves launched in 2024 have supported us in delivering upon that commitment, and we continue to build on these in 2025 with two further recruitment campaigns launched this year. An Garda Síochána has also grown its workforce by increasing its Garda Staff, which include the recruitment of a wide range of skilled professionals who work in various departments across the organisation.
"A range of operational successes are also highlighted in this report, of particular note in 2024 was the international investigation and take down of the Ghost organised crime communications platform. The report further highlights successful prosecutions which occurred last year, including those related to individuals involved in the Dublin Riots of November 2023.
"I would like to take this opportunity to commend all our personnel for the high-quality service they provide to the public, and for their hard work and dedication throughout 2024."
The Minister added:
“An Garda Síochána, like other police services worldwide, operate in a challenging environment. Tackling organised crime, enforcing road safety laws, combatting retail crime, antisocial behaviour, public order and security threats are just some of the daily challenges that Garda members face. The Annual Report highlights many noteworthy examples of the invaluable work they do and the successes they have had across all these areas. I want to thank the men and women of An Garda Síochána, including Garda Reserves and Garda staff for their selfless public service.
"I remain committed to supporting the Commissioner and giving him the resources that he needs. This is reflected in the record allocation of €2.59 billion in the Garda Vote for 2026 which will support the continued recruitment of Gardaí and Garda staff. A strengthened and visible policing service is central to the government’s plans to tackle crime and build safer communities.”
Notes
Garda resourcing in 2024
Net expenditure for An Garda Síochána was over €2.27 billion, €107 million higher than in 2023.
At year end, the workforce was made up of 14,191 Gardaí, 3,678 Garda staff (whole time equivalent), and 319 Garda Reserves.
The report notes that efforts to increase Garda recruitment were supported by the government’s decision to change the age of entry limit from 35 to 50 and increase the mandatory retirement age for Garda members from 60 to 62.
A Garda Trainee recruitment campaign was launched in January 2024 under the tagline 'It’s a Job Worth Doing'. Over 6,300 people applied to become a Garda in 2024 with 37% aged 35 and over.
During the year 601 Gardai were attested and 625 Garda Staff were recruited.
Capital expenditure of €169 million supported the commencement of several important estate projects including the redevelopment works at Portlaoise Divisional HQ, the new Community Engagement HQ for County Limerick in Newcastle West and a new Armed Support Unit facility at Enniscorthy Garda Station. A new Garda station in An Spidéal, County Galway, became fully operational in 2024.
The Garda fleet stood at 3,589 vehicles. By year end, 431 vehicles were allocated nationwide representing a net increase of 169. There were 116 new electric vehicles integrated into the Garda transport fleet in 2024, bringing the total to 221 EVs.
Key achievements in 2024
The Annual Report sets out progress against 20 end-of-year targets in the Policing Plan for 2024. In addition, the report sets out a significant range of activities related to general policing as well as work carried out by specialist units, targeted operations and corporate headquarters. Some key achievements during the year are highlighted below:
- An Garda Síochána continued to support victims of crime through a number of initiatives. There was a particular focus on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in 2024, evidenced through the Garda National Protective Services Bureau's continued expansion of the High-Risk Victim Support Programme and through high-profile media campaigns throughout the year to raise awareness around domestic abuse and coercive control
- An Garda Síochána continued to proactively disrupt Organised and Serious Crime in collaboration with national and international partners. The report highlights An Garda Síochána’s efforts in the international law enforcement coalition in taking down the encrypted organised crime communications platform, Ghost, in September 2024. €81 million worth of drugs were seized by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau in 2024
- the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau ran a number of fraud awareness and prevention campaigns throughout 2024. This included several seasonal campaigns, such as on accommodation fraud (prior to colleges reopening in September), romance fraud (in advance of Valentine’s Day), loan fraud (in the run up to Christmas), and online fraud (around Black Friday)
- in September 2024, all Garda Divisions undertook a period of action for Operation Táirge to detect and deter retail theft and anti-social behaviour through high-visibility retail and public engagement, delivery of crime prevention advice, and the identification and apprehension of individuals involved in retail theft
- An Garda Síochána continued to build on its efforts to deliver information-led policing. More than 15,900 Garda personnel had mobility devices by the end of 2024 and the multi-annual project to rollout devices was complete by year end
- in May the Proof of Concept project for Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) commenced with over 700 members across Store Street, Kevin Street, Pearse Street in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, Henry Street (Limerick) and Waterford Garda Stations using BWCs to support everyday operational policing. The cameras have assisted investigations and de-escalated potentially dangerous situations
- 2024 marked 40 years of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) in An Garda Síochána and 100 years since the awarding of the first Scott Medal. Eight Scott Medals were issued in 2024 to Gardaí who demonstrated courage and heroism in service
- further progress was made on the implementation of the new operating model with 18 Divisions fully commenced by the end of 2024 and it was subsequently completed for all 21 Divisions in May 2025. This is a very significant organisational change and is supporting the delivery of consistent services to the public
Security threats
The report notes that the international security situation throughout 2024 was complex and continued to be influenced by world events, such as the conflict in Gaza, Israel, Lebanon and Syria; the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, and damage to undersea cables throughout Europe. In response to emerging national security challenges, Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service (GNCSIS) continued to strengthen its co-operation and partnerships with European and other international counterparts to ensure that An Garda Síochána is delivering upon its obligations as the security service.
Public Order Policing
The report acknowledges the bravery and composure of Gardaí when policing violent incidents at public gatherings. To help protect Gardaí policing such situations, An Garda Síochána continued to invest in public order protective equipment, vehicles and training.
Over €6 million was spent to support public order policing in 2024, on top of the €2.5 million invested in 2023. This has enabled An Garda Síochána to provide stronger incapacitant spray to all Gardaí; 600 smaller round shields; and an expanded and enhanced public order fleet (15 public order vans). The procurement process for two water cannons began in 2024 and they were delivered in early 2025.
The capability of the Public Order Unit has been expanded through increased training with over 1,500 personnel trained nationally.
Road safety
Following a rise in road deaths in the first half of 2024, the report notes a slight decrease in the number of fatal road traffic collisions in 2024 (176 deaths), when compared with 2023. However, the number of fatalities in 2024 was more than 10% above the average for the past five years.
An Garda Síochána continued to co-ordinate with partners to make roads safer, as well as carrying out their direct prevention, education and enforcement activities. This included the 30 minutes of roads safety activity initiative, expanded camera-based enforcement by AGS through the introduction of new static speed cameras and average speed detection zones and the implementation of a data sharing agreement between An Garda Síochána and the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland which has significantly improved the ability to detect uninsured drivers on the road via the Traffic App on Garda Mobility Devices.
A new road safety camera procurement process was completed in December 2024 with Go Safe (Road Safety Operations Ireland) being awarded the contract.