New unit at Kilkenny Garda Station will specialise in combating sexual crime, child abuse and domestic abuse

A new Divisional Protective Services Units has been established in Kilkenny to help combat sexual crime, child abuse and domestic abuse.

Kilkenny is one of six garda divisions where the unit went live in the first week of January adding to the already established units. 

A total of ten Divisional Units have now been established across nine Garda Divisions. 

DPSUs are a major commitment in An Garda Síochána’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme and will deliver a consistent and professional approach to the investigation of specialised crime types, including sexual crime, child abuse and domestic abuse.

DPSUs will go live in the remaining 19 Garda Divisions throughout 2019.  
Training for personnel attached to each of the units commenced in the Garda College on this week.  The first module, on Sexual Crime investigation includes as part of the curriculum, input from victims of sexual abuse, who will give a presentation in relation to the victim’s perspective.  
Detective Chief Superintendent Declan Daly, Garda National Protective Services, said today that "the continued expansion of the DPSU project will ensure a consistent level of service by An Garda Síochána to the victims of Sexual crime and Domestic Abuse.   They are a welcome and valuable addition to Garda Divisions and will add to the service we provide”.