37% drop in Cork's garda drug squad numbers compared to 14% nationwide

Blow comes as gardaí get over 500 reports of drug-related intimidation

At least 518 incidents of drug-related intimidation were reported to gardaí in 2023,

The country’s local Garda drug units have, on average, 14% less staff now than they did in 2010, with the Cork City unit decimated by 37% in that period, official figures show.

It comes as separate statistics, which are rarely publicised, reveal that there were more than 520 incidents of drug-related intimidation reported to gardaí in 2023.

Dublin North had by far the highest number of such cases and Cork North had the third highest.

Politicians and community sources believe these figures are just the "tip of the iceberg" as most victims are too afraid to report the intimidation.

An analysis of data by the Irish Examiner shows that the total number of gardaí in divisional drug units fell from 378 in 2010 to 326 at the end of 2023.

Against a major effort over the last four years, driven by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, to beef up the units, which were decimated under austerity, numbers had begun to drop again by the end of last year.

The falling strength of most drug units comes at a time of a resurgence in drug use and a massive increase in the importation of drugs, particularly cocaine, in the last two years.

Rising population

In addition, there are around 500,000 more people in the country over the last 14 years, with the population increasing from 4.57m in 2010 to 5.09m today.

“The loss of gardaí to drug units is a huge blow for communities,” Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central, Thomas Gould, said.

“Fine Gael decimated these units during austerity and have never restored them fully and we are now [at the latter half of 2023] seeing another decrease.” 

Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould said without more resourcing, families and communities will continue to live in fear. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

An analysis shows that 17 of the 28 Garda divisions saw a decrease in drug unit strength since 2010.

Numbers collapsed during the recession, from 378 in 2010 to a low of 222 at the close of 2018 (-40%).

Under the Operation Tara initiative by Commissioner Harris, unit strength rose significantly in 2020 (306) and grew gradually over the following years, reaching a high of 332 in May 2023. 

But they have fallen to 326 since.

A breakdown of the divisions shows:

• The six Dublin divisions had a total of 147 gardaí in their drug units in 2010, falling to 120 at the end of 2023 (down 18%);
• Cork City Divisional Drug Unit fell from 27 in 2010 to 17 at the end of 2023. The unit had dropped to a low of 14 in 2019, rose to 23 in 2021, but has reduced since;
• Cork North numbers have fallen from nine in 2010 to seven now, while Cork West has remained unchanged at six;
• Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit halved between 2010 (22) and 2018 (10) but has more than doubled since (23);
• Clare Divisional Drugs Unit fell from nine to three 

Mr Gould said: “With ten fewer gardaí in Cork City drugs unit, despite a clear increase in the prevalence of drug-related crime, there is clearly a serious problem.” 

Separate figures, provided to the Dáil, reveal at least 518 incidents of drug-related intimidation were reported to gardaí in 2023. 

Figures were not provided for four divisions (including Cork West] where there were fewer than 10 incidents.

Almost 270 incidents were in the six Dublin divisions, with Dublin Northern Division having by far the most (127). 

This is thought to be due to a specific operation, codenamed Fógra, running there.

Dublin Western Division had the second-highest number of reports (45) and Cork North had the third-highest (38).

The figures for Cork North could reflect the priority placed on the issue by local commanders. 

There were 13 in Cork City, 10 in Clare/Tipperary, 10 in Limerick, 14 in Kerry, and 14 in Waterford.

Gardaí operate a drug-related intimidation reporting programme, with designated inspectors in every division.

“The [falling strength of drug units] is particularly concerning when we look at the number of incidents for drug-related intimidation,” Mr Gould said.

“Figures are likely only the tip of the iceberg and without more resourcing, families and communities will continue to live in fear.”