Recruitment of civil servants frees up 800 gardaí for frontline duty

This year, 370 garda trainees passed out from the Garda College and entered active service. The recruitment of 1,200 civil servants is expected to release 800 gardaí for frontline duties. File picture: Brendan Gleeson

More than 800 gardaí have been released from administrative duties to the frontline as a result of the recruitment of 1,200 civil servants into the organisation, according to official figures.

Garda HQ said this has resulted in over 300 officers being assigned to the specialist divisional units tasked with investigating sexual and domestic violence.