Dublin riots spark 152% rise in Garda spending on public order equipment

Rioting in Dublin in November 2023. File picture

Reaction to the Dublin riots saw an increased spend on public order equipment by gardaí of 152%.

Figures contained in a parliamentary question response to Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman show that An Garda Síochána spent over €6.3 million on equipment in 2024, compared to €2.3m on the same kinds of equipment the year before.

The spend was driven largely by a €2.7m outlay on new body armour and €2m on vehicles, including €1m on two water cannons.

The water cannon vehicles were paid for in 2024 and delivered in 2025, while the body armour was ordered in 2024 and, according to An Garda Síochána, "to secure the shortest possible lead time" was also paid for in 2024, as agreed with the supplier. 

A further order for 500 more units of body armour has not yet been finalised so has not yet been recorded.

Hundreds rioted on O’Connell St in the wake of the stabbing of a five-year-old schoolgirl in the area on November 23, 2023. A total of 85 people have now been arrested and/or interviewed in relation to alleged offending on the day. Of those, 66 have been charged with offences.

In a statement, An Garda Síochána said each of the water cannon vehicles has cannons mounted on the roof of the cab, and contains a public-address system, a ram/barricade removal system and six video cameras for "accurate targeting/situational awareness".

"Following the serious public disorder in Dublin city centre on November 23, 2023, a number of measures were put in place by An Garda Síochána to strengthen public order policing," a spokesperson said, adding that the benefit of the additional spend had already been seen in last October's unrest at City West.

As such, there was a significant focus on spending on public order equipment in 2024 to provide public order units with additional equipment as quickly as possible. The benefit of this front-loading of spending in 2024 was seen during the City West public disorder in 2025.

"This includes the purchase of general frontline equipment including Garda safety helmets, higher-strength incapacitant spray and mobility devices giving all frontline gardaí access to a wide range of information while on duty.

"Additionally, public order units were provided with Mk 9 incapacitant spray canisters, round shields, replacement shields, new body armour, additional protective pads [foot, groin].

"Nine bespoke public order vans were purchased and engineered in 2024 to increase and enhance the public order fleet, with a total of 35 public order vans now in the Garda fleet."

The spokesperson added that 200 tasers had been purchased and that PCM (Peaceful Crowd Management) training is ongoing.