Home / Crime and Justice / Incoming Garda Chief Faces Daunting Challenges: Recruitment, Domestic Violence, and Organized Crime
Incoming Garda Chief Faces Daunting Challenges: Recruitment, Domestic Violence, and Organized Crime
29 Jul
Summary
- Garda numbers fall short of targets, with recruitment process causing delays
- 44% of women found Garda response to domestic violence unhelpful
- Morale issues between Garda Commissioner and Garda Representative Association
- Organized crime groups enjoying a boom in drug trade despite recent crackdowns
In a month's time, Fifty-three-year-old Dubliner Justin Kelly will assume the role of Garda Commissioner, replacing the retiring Drew Harris. Kelly faces a daunting set of challenges as he takes the helm of Ireland's national police force.
One of the most pressing issues is the Garda's struggle to meet recruitment targets. Currently, Garda numbers stand at just over 14,300, well short of the 15,000 goal in the short term and the 18,000 target in the years ahead. The recruitment process has proven protracted, with some successful applicants securing other jobs or moving abroad before they can even begin training.
Domestic violence is another area of concern. Last month, Women's Aid published research indicating that 44% of women who sought the Garda's assistance for domestic abuse or violence found the force unhelpful. While the Garda has established a National Protective Services Bureau to handle cases involving vulnerable victims, more training is needed across the force to ensure a consistent and improved response.
Morale within the Garda has also been a significant challenge. The relationship between the Commissioner and the Garda Representative Association (GRA), which represents over 11,000 rank-and-file officers, has been extremely poor, leading to a vote of no confidence in the outgoing Commissioner. The incoming chief must carefully manage this toxic dynamic.
Finally, the Garda continues to battle organized crime and the surging drug trade. While the force has gained the upper hand on some of the most dangerous gangs, recent seizures of drugs and cash have been unprecedented, indicating a boom for the most sophisticated criminal networks. The new Commissioner must maintain the pressure on these groups.
