Increasing rate of Garda retirements cause for concern

GARDA retirements are running at twice the projected rate, new figures suggest.

Figures obtained by the Irish Examiner show that around 400 gardaí up to rank of inspector have retired as of 8 July this year.

This includes 323 at garda rank, 53 sergeants and 21 inspectors. It doesn’t include senior ranks, such as superintendents and chief superintendents. It is understood that Garda Headquarters projected that in the region of 440 gardaí would retire in the course of the entire year. If the current rate of retirements continue there could be nearly double that figure.