Retirements could drop garda numbers to 12,000 in the next two years, ASGI warns

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said that while he hopes garda numbers would not drop to these levels, he is 'not a fortune teller'. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Garda numbers could plummet to as low as 12,000 over the next two years, causing major challenges for policing, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (ASGI) warned.

The drop from the current number of some 14,000 would dramatically reduce the number of gardaí available to patrol the streets and investigate crime.