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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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A Garda sniffer dog and its handler.
A specialist drugs dog will be added to the Donegal Garda Division by the end of 2023.
A localised dog handler will be appointed and be operational by the end of the year.
Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken confirmed the news at a meeting of the Donegal Joint Policing Committee (JPC) on Friday.
Chief Superintendent Glacken said there had been 154 applications for the position of a drug dog handler in 2019.
The process was slowed down due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, but Chief Superintendent Glacken said a sergeant has been appointed with responsibility for the dog handling unit.
The North West will be the first region to have localised dog handlers.
There will be a full-time dog handler in Donegal and another based in the Sligo-Leitrim Division, Chief Superintendent Glacken told the meeting.
“I would expect a dog handler and a dog to be based in this Division by the end of the year,” he said.
The news was welcomed by Councillor Michael McClafferty, the Falcarragh-based Independent who has been a long-time advocate for a drug dog in the county.
“This is very much welcomed news,” Councillor McClaffery said. “This is something I have been looking for for a long time. I believe there is a need for it and I hope that the dog will be used fully.”
Garda drug dogs are usually either a Labrador or an English Springer Spaniel.
Potential Garda dogs are assessed for three to four weeks. If suitable, they start the training programme at the Dog Unit and it can take at least eight weeks to train a dog to search for drugs.
After the training is completed, the dog and its handler start operational duty immediately.
The dogs live in their handler’s home, so they build a relationship with their handler, although they understand the difference between work and off duty.
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