Joe Biden visit drives up Garda overtime bill while officer numbers continue to fall

Armed gardaí at Ireland West Airport Knock, Co. Mayo, ahead of the arrival of US President Joe Biden in April. His visit sent the Garda overtime bill soaring—now €34m in the red. File photo: PA

Gardaí clocked up more than €30m in overtime in May, most of it linked to policing the State visit of US President Joe Biden in April.

This has driven the Garda overtime budget €34m into the red, with seven months still left in the year. The overtime bill comes as figures show a continuing drop in Garda numbers, driven by mounting retirements and resignations.