Garda superintendents 'under significant pressure', AGS conference hears

President Colm Murphy told the AGS delegate conference in Trim, Co Meath, that they were 23 positions short of the 191 superintendents they should have.

An increase in superintendent numbers is not just desirable — it is urgently required.

He said superintendents were available 24/7, 365 days a year, without additional cost on the State, but said that in pay negotiations, the association’s role is “effectively excluded”.

Mr Murphy said the Garda Operating Policing Model has stretched superintendents “beyond capacity, weakened community links, and forced many superintendents to double job”.

He said they were not opposed to change but said change “must be properly resourced and sustainable”.

Addressing justice minister Jim O'Callaghan, he said: 

As superintendents, we carry immense responsibility. We are operational leaders, decision makers and crisis managers. We lead large teams, oversee critical incidents and deliver national change projects, often under significant pressure.

Mr Murphy said that while members are proud of these roles, superintendents were “constrained by bureaucracy, limited resources, and ever-growing demands”.

AGS general secretary Mick Comyns said the Operating Policing Model – which merged divisions - was “breaking the link” with local communities and supervision between management and frontline gardaí.

He said that in the expanded division of Mayo/Roscommon and Leitrim, a detective superintendent could be investigating a homicide in Longford town and another in Belmullet, 177km away.

Mr O’Callaghan said that if the garda commissioner requested him to appoint more superintendents, he would “certainly engage” with the public expenditure minister on it.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said there is a need for “some additional” superintendent posts, but said he is only "working through the numbers", as he was only appointed at the start of the month.

"I'm supportive of the superintendents in that, for sure. In that rank, we do need more people".

He said it would be something about which he would talk to the department of justice.