Less than 50 patrol cars gardaí to police crime in Laois and Offaly

Gardaí in Laois and Offaly have a fleet of 49 patrol cars to cover both counties and the number available for policing crime has stagnated since 2021.

The latest figures provided to Laois TD Willie Aird show that at the end of 2024 there were 77 vehicles attached to the Laois/Offaly Garda Division. This was an increase of five in three years with no new patrol cars added to the fleet.

Apart from the 49 squad cars, there are 20 vans and 5 motorbikes. There was one 4x4 vehicle and two vehicles classed as either being MPV, SUV, minibus or prisoner conveyance vehicles.

The Department of Justice says the number of cars and other vehicles available to the guards in the two counties is represents an increase of over 13% since the end of December 2021.

Back then there were also 49 patrol cars but just 12 vans. The division was allocated one extra motorbike in three years while  there was no change in the 4x4 or other vehicle classifications.

The information was provided in a written reply from former Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to a Dáil question tabled by Dep Aird. She said the allocation of vehicles was a matter for Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

"As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the distribution of resources, including the Garda fleet, across the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter," she said.

Ms McEntee outlined to her Fine Gael TD how much public money has gone to the Gardaí for the year ahead.

The Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed to keep people safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion in Budget 2025. This is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment, technology, and vehicles.

"I am informed by the Garda authorities that, at the end of December 2024, there were 3,589 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet, the highest total of vehicles ever in use by An Garda Síochána," she said.

Ms McEntee added that this represents an increase of over 15% since the end of December 2020.