Garda compensation up 20% as number of cases tumbles

The total compensation paid to gardaí injured in the course of their work jumped 20% last year — despite a 30% fall in the number of such cases.

Official figures show that €7.16m was awarded to gardaí in 120 cases in 2012, compared to €5.97m in 173 cases in 2011.

Separately, there was a 40% drop in the amount paid out in legal costs, from €3.79m in 2011 to €2.26m in 2012. This is in line with a 45% cut in the number of cases, from 215 to 118.