Cork could lose 550 gardaí by end of 2028 as numbers reaching pension age set to rise
In 2026, some 109 gardaí will become eligible to retire in Cork — 50 in Cork City, 59 in Cork county. Picture Colin Keegan/ Collins
Cork is at risk of losing more than 550 gardaí before the end of 2028, as the number of members reaching retirement age is set to rise.
New figures, published by justice minister Jim O'Callaghan, show the number of gardaí eligible to retire in 2025 stands at 39 in Cork City and a further 45 in Cork county.
It is the case that once a garda member has completed 30 years of service, they may opt to retire on full pension at age 50 if they joined the service before April 1, 2004, or at age 55 if they joined on or after that date.
Despite many recruitment campaigns, the number of new gardaí is still falling.
This could become a major issue in the next couple of years, according to the figures.
In 2026, some 109 gardaí will become eligible to retire in Cork — 50 in Cork City, 59 in Cork county — while 2027 sees that number rise to 158 (79 in both the city and the county.)
The year 2028 poses the biggest risk as of today, with 101 potential retirements in Cork City and 113 in Cork county.
Gardaí are hoping to recruit 1,000 new members a year over the next five years as set out in the programme for government.
But only four of the 18 targets set for the policing performance of An Garda Síochána in 2024 were met, amid “significant concerns” regarding aspects of how the force is currently being administered.
Mr O'Callaghan's response to a question from Carlow-Kilkenny TD Peter 'Chap' Cleere also showed a cumulative figure of 1,878 gardaí will become eligible to retire by 2028.
"That, of course, does not mean that this number will retire over the next five years, only that they will be eligible to do so. For example, a garda member may have 30 years of service at age 55, but may opt not to retire for the next seven years until they reach the mandatory retirement of 62."
