Laois Offaly Garda Division has least scenes of crime gardaí countrywide

The Laois Offaly Garda Division has fewer gardaí and sergeants assigned to the scenes of crime unit than any other Garda Division in the country. 

The figures were revealed by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan who was asked to outline the figures in a recent parliamentary question by Labour Party TD Alan Kelly on Tuesday, July 15 last. 

Minister O’Callaghan said  “the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in the context of identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.”

The figures show Laois Offaly has just five members assigned to scenes of crime which is lower than any other Garda Division in the country. Neighbouring Kildare/Carlow has seven offices assigned while Waterford/Kilkenny has six. 

“The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the total number of members attached to Divisional Scenes of Crime Units of Sergeant and Garda rank as of 30 June 2025,” said Minister O’Callaghan. 

Meanwhile, the Laois Offaly Garda Division has enjoyed an increase of more than two dozen gardaí in since 2023.  Fianna Fail Deputy Seamus McGrath asked how many gardaí are assigned to each of the Garda Divisions around the country in the last three years. 

Minister O’Callaghan said: “The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the management of Garda resources, such as the distribution of Gardaí across the country.

“The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, shows the number of Gardaí deployed on regular policing units in each Garda division in June 2023, June 2024 and to 30 June 2025. It is important to note that around 360 Gardaí are currently in training and 269 have already passed out of Templemore this year. Two more attestations are scheduled for 2025.” 

Laois Offaly had a total of 388 gardaí as of June 30, 2025.  Sligo/Leitrim had the least gardaí at 277 while the Dublin Metropolitan North Division had the most gardaí at 705 gardaí. 

The figures provided by Minister O’Callaghan show an increasing number of gardaí assigned to Laois Offaly in recent years, with 26 more gardaí serving in the division compared to 2023.