From:Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan has published the 2025 Annual Report of An Garda Síochána.

The Report covers a significant year for An Garda Síochána as the organisation adapted to the comprehensive reforms to the governance and oversight of the organisation, and a new approach to community safety, with the commencement of the Policing, Security, and Community Safety Act in April 2025.

“I am pleased to publish this report which outlines the level of work carried out by An Garda Síochána in 2025 and the significant efforts made to set the organisation up for success into the future. We know that the challenges which face An Garda Síochána are ever-evolving. To continue to keep the public safe, An Garda Síochána must also evolve, and this Report evidences the commendable efforts by the Garda Commissioner and his management team to deliver a policing service which is responsive to change.

“With the support of government, An Garda Síochána continue to expand their fleet, including a new fixed wing aircraft which was delivered in December 2025, upgrade the estate through the investment of €172 million, and invest in modern equipment for frontline Gardaí. The Proof of Concept deployment of Body Worn Cameras in five stations has proved successful and puts the organisation on a strong footing to introduce them to every frontline member of An Garda Síochána. The Investigation Management System roll-out continued, which will improve the accessibility of investigative information, contributing to a better case management and a more standardised investigative process.

“I also want to thank the Garda Board, which was established with the commencement of the PSCS Act last year. The commencement of the Act resulted in the most comprehensive reform of how our policing service is governed. The oversight of An Garda Síochána and their role in our whole-of-society approach to community safety has also changed significantly. The Garda Board has been and will continue to be an invaluable support to Garda management as it navigates these new structures.”

In line with government policy a High Visibility Policing Plan was introduced in Dublin City Centre in March 2025 to support community safety and deter anti-social behaviour. The new Garda Operating Model was fully introduced across all 21 Divisions in May 2025. Divisional Protective Service Units were rolled out to all Garda Divisions across the country and the Garda National Protective Services Bureau's High-Risk Victim Support Programme was expanded. These initiatives will enable Gardaí to create safer communities across the country.

An Garda Síochána also continued its work to proactively disrupt Serious and Organised Crime in collaboration with national and international partners, making significant seizures in 2025, including that of over €30 million worth of cocaine during a Joint Task Force operation with the Revenue Customs Service and the Irish Naval Service in Cork.

“I join the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in welcoming the publication of An Garda Síochána’s Annual Report for 2025. The Report reflects a significant year for An Garda Síochána, during which Garda personnel continued to deliver a high-quality policing and security service while adapting to a changing and complex operational environment.

“This is the first Annual Report produced following the commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which established the Garda Board, the Policing and Community Safety Authority and Fiosrú, introducing changes to the governance, oversight and accountability of An Garda Síochána.

“Key policing developments during the year included the continued rollout of high visibility policing to support community safety, the full introduction of the Garda Operating Model across all 21 Divisions, the commencement of a Taser pilot for frontline uniform Gardaí and further strengthening of services for victims and vulnerable people. The Report also reflects the significant work undertaken across specialist and national services, including serious crime investigations, public order operations, national security, and preparations for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026.

“Supporting our people also remained a priority during 2025. More than 4,500 Garda personnel had received Mental Health First Aid training by year end, reflecting our continued focus on the health and wellbeing of those who serve communities across the country.

“I want to thank all Garda personnel for their professionalism, dedication and commitment to public service throughout 2025. Every day, across policing, security and community safety, their work makes a real difference to the safety and wellbeing of people and communities across Ireland. As we move through 2026, An Garda Síochána will continue to build on the progress made during 2025 and deliver on our mission of keeping people safe.”

“The introduction of High Visibility Patrols across 2025 has had a positive impact on crime levels resulting in a 23% drop in theft, a 33% reduction in robbery from the person, and assaults causing harm were down by 18%. Feedback from the public and businesses operating in the city centre has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The High Visibility Patrols are now in operation in Cork and Limerick. Garda management plan to continue to roll these out to other areas across the country this year. To support this, recruitment into An Garda Síochána will be vitally important. That is why we have held three recruitment competitions, attracting over 15,000 applications, over the course of the previous 16 months.

“Just under 800 trainees entered the Garda College in 2025, the highest number since 2018. Over 400 trainees have entered Templemore this year, with two more intakes scheduled for later in the year. With the existing pipeline of applicants, and as the rate of recruitment continues apace, we will soon see the largest ever number of Gardaí working in the State.”

The annual report can be found on An Garda Síochána websitehere.

Previous Annual Reports can be found on An Garda Síochána websitehere.

Total gross expenditure in 2025 was €2.54 billion, €270 million higher than in 2024.

At year end, the workforce was made up of 14,425 Gardaí, 3,672 Garda staff, and 308 Garda Reserves. At the end of May this year, total Garda personnel stood at over 18,200, which included 14,621 Gardaí, 3,498 Garda Staff, and 295 Reserves.

Over 11,000 people applied to join An Garda Síochána in 2025 over the course of two Garda trainee recruitment campaigns.

619 trainees were attested during 2025, becoming operational members of An Garda Síochána in Divisions across the country.

Capital expenditure of €172m supported a number of important estates projects including the completion of the redevelopment of Garda Immigration Facilities at Rosslare Europort. Work on the new Bailieborough Garda Station, the Portlaoise Divisional Headquarters and the new Community Engagement HQ for Limerick County in Newcastle West was also progressed in 2025.

A new fixed wing aircraft for the Garda Air Support Unit was delivered in December 2025.

The Garda fleet stood at 3,650 vehicles. By year end, 407 vehicles were allocated nationwide representing a net increase of 61. There were 77 new electric vehicles integrated into the Garda transport fleet in 2025, bringing the total to 298 EVs.

The Annual Report sets out a significant range of activities related to general policing as well as work carried out by specialist units, targeted operations and on corporate services. Some key achievements during the year are highlighted below: