First drop in Kildare garda strength in five years

For the first time since 2014, Kildare has suffered a fall in garda numbers.

That’s according to latest figures released by garda numbers at a meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) last evening.

Chief Superintendent Brian Sutton revealed that the numbers have reduced from 382 in 2018 to 371 this year. This can be accounted for by retirements and transfers, although he revealed that instead of getting the usual 10 new recruits from the passing out from Templemore, he would only get six from the latest round.

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In 2014, there were 314 members within the division, and they have seen regular growth since then, until this year.

Some members of the JPC, including Cllr  Ide Cussen, urged him to send the new gardai to the Leixlip and Celbridge areas.

The chief superintendent said he would consider the requests. He also explained that there is a very long list of experienced gardai working in Dublin who are anxious to transfer to the Kildare division, and he is urging garda management to approve as many transfers as possible.

It was also revealed that Garda Inspector Oliver Henry has been promoted to the rank of Superintendent.