Kilkenny garda force could see huge drop in numbers, local TD warns

Alarm bells have been sounded that the number of gardaí eligible to retire from the local districts in the coming years could see a more than 10% drop in the force.

It has been revealed in the Dáil from now to 2028 up to 78 gardaí could retire in the Waterford-Kilkenny division while up to 58 members of the force could leave the Kildare-Carlow division.

The figures were revealed by the Minister for Justice; Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD, following a query from Carlow-Kilkenny’s Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere TD.

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The local TD is now calling for garda recruits to be sent to rural towns and villages and not just cities like Dublin and Cork, to ensure an experienced force is ready to step into the shoes of the retirees.
Deputy Cleere said he will be championing Kilkenny.

“I will be championing Kilkenny so we don’t see garda numbers fall off a cliff in the coming years,” Deputy Cleere said.
At the end of January this year there were 1095 serving gardaí across the four counties that make up the local garda divisions, according to An Garda Síochána. However, between now and 2028 there will be 136 gardaí eligible to take retirement from An Garda Síochána in this area. More than one in every 10.

“I’m calling for extra resources to come to Kilkenny. People love to see gardaí on the beat.”
Deputy Cleere said he is working with Minister O’Callaghan to get more garda recruits posted to stations around the country, to ‘future proof’ the force.

“There was a huge interest in the recent garda recruitment campaign, but there has to be because of the potential for huge attrition,” he said. Click next to continue reading.