Rising number of gardaí resigning shows retention problem 'getting worse'
A total of 142 gardaí resigned from their jobs by the end of October, up from 114 in September. File picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins
There was a large jump in the number of gardaí resigning from the force in October, official figures show.
A total of 142 gardaí resigned from their jobs by the end of the month, up from 114 in September.
With two months left in the year, the number is set to exceed estimates from the Garda Representative Association (GRA) that between 140 and 150 could resign by the close of 2023.
The number of resignations compares to 108 for all of last year, 95 in 2021 and 69 in 2020.
Commenting on the figures, GRA general secretary Ronan Slevin said: “The figure sadly reflects the difficulties facing our members and re-emphasises that the recruitment and retention crisis within AGS [An Garda Síochána] isn’t easing. If anything the problem is getting worse.”
The figures come during a year of unprecedented industrial unrest within Garda ranks, particularly on the frontline, with a vote of no confidence in the Garda Commissioner and threatened industrial action.
The GRA, representing over 11,000 rank and file members, and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, representing more than 2,000 frontline supervisors, have highlighted a range of financial, roster, safety, bureaucracy and morale issues affecting their members.
Just over a week ago, frontline gardaí raised concerns over dangers faced by members during the Dublin riots, including recorded incidents of isolated Garda members under assault from gangs of youths.
Concerns have been expressed that some gardaí are reluctant to use force, including their ASP extendable batons, for fear of being subject to a potentially lengthy investigation by Gsoc.
Last October, the GRA published research it conducted with 40 members who had resigned between July 2021 and June 2023.
Almost four out of 10 mentioned stress and a third cited workload. Six out of 10 said their mental health had suffered.
Six out of 10 said they were afraid of making a mistake and 70% mentioned a “fear of discipline”.
Mr Slevin said: “The issues identified by the GRA which led to the vote of no confidence in the Commissioner haven’t been addressed and until they are then we don’t see an end to the current crisis, and with more members becoming eligible for retirement next year and the continuing difficulties the Government and Garda management are experiencing regarding recruitment, we believe that the lack of resources within AGS is going to get worse.
“It is now likely that we will lose nearly 500 members between retirement and resignations this year, which when combined with 2022 figures will exceed the number of trainees who will have joined AGS over 2022/23.”
