Number of gardaí stationed in County Laois reached record high in 2025

The number of gardaí stationed in County Laois reached a record high in 2025, new figures have revealed.

The latest statistics show that there are 238 gardaí operating in the county, as of December 2025.

This represents a 6.25 per cent increase on the previous year’s figure of 224, which was also record-setting.

The figure has increased significantly over the past decade, from a total of 151 gardaí in 2015. However, there was a slight drop in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Of the 238 gardaí currently stationed in Laois, 188 are on general duty, 36 are inspectors and 10 are sergeants. There are also three superintendents and one chief superintendent.

Portlaoise is home to the majority of these gardaí, with a total of 162 operating from the county town.

It is followed by Abbeyleix with 30 gardaí, Mountmellick with 16 and Portarlington with 11.

Meanwhile, there are four gardaí stationed in Rathdowney and Mountrath respectively, whilst Ballylinan has three gardaí on duty there.

Elsewhere, Borris-in-Ossary, Stradbally and Clonaslee have two gardaí each, followed by Arles and Durrow, which both host just a singular garda.

Chief Supt Anthony Lonergan recently told the Leinster Express Laois Live that  more Gardaí are going on the beat in Laois towns with increased visibility a priority.

“We are trying to be more proactive and hopefully you will have seen an increase in visibility around the town centres," he said. 

“That’s part of our policing initiative and plans for 2026. We are going to try increase visibility across the county and we’d ask for community support around that." 

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.