Ireland 'below European average for police-to-people ratio'

The Garda strength stood at 13,995 last April, compared to 14,294 in April 2022 and 14,537 in April 2021.

Garda numbers are below the European average and “far below” the nations with the highest police-to-population ratios, according to Oireachtas estimates.

Ireland has 291 gardaí for every 100,000 inhabitants, compared to an average of 328 police for every 100,000 people across 35 countries in Europe.