Millions of euros spent on extra riot squad gear Fine Gael boasts
MILLIONS OF EUROS SPENT ON EXTRA RIOT SQUAD GEAR, FINE GAEL BOASTS
As part of its pre-election pitch, Fine Gael has boasted that they are spending millions of euros extra on equipment to help Gardaí manage and put down riots, such as water cannons and pepper spray. spent on such gear, with a further €5 million allocated in Budget 2025.
In a statement this morning, the party’s justice spokesman Alan Farrell said that between the start of 2023, over €3 million had been spent on such gear, with a further €5 million allocated in Budget 2025.
“In Budget 2025, a further €5 million is being allocated for public order equipment, including specialist personal public order equipment, crowd barrier controls, an expansion of the dog unit, water cannons and thousands of units of body armour,” he said, adding that this investment was “essential given the rise of public order incidents across the country.”
“Figures provided to me by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee show €3 million has been spent on equipment for the Public Order Unit over the past 18 months,” he continued.
“This includes investment on batons, riot helmets, pepper spray, helmets among other things.”
He went on to highlight that “Minister Helen McEntee has delivered the highest ever Garda Budget and has working hard to increase Garda numbers.”
“The 2023 intake into Templemore is the highest since 2018 and 64% of recently attested Gardaí have gone to Dublin.”
Notably, the total number of Gardaí in Ireland has actually declined over the term of the current government, with there being 14,307 at the end of 2019, compared to just 14,059 at the end of March 2024 – a decline of 248.
“Minister McEntee has also commenced a new Garda reserve competition with 1800 applicants and doubled the Garda training allowance, increased the cut off age of entry, and increased the retirement age,” Farrell continued.
“Fine Gael is the party of law and order. A vote for Fine Gael in the next election is a vote for a party that stands shoulder to shoulder with the Gardai, that will double investment in An Garda Siochana.”