Over €3.2 million has been spent since the start of last year on providing extra equipment to the Garda National Public Order Unit (POU), according to new Department of Justice figures.
The POU, who primarily police riots and protests, have taken on a bigger role in policing public demonstrations in recent years – including protests and riots in opposition to the government’s migration and asylum policy.
Since the Dublin City Centre riots in November 2023, over €200,000 has been spent on pepper spray and canister holders alone, while €114,000 was spent on 600 riot shields. Those riots, which erupted after a number of children were stabbed outside a school on Parnell Square, saw the largest ever deployment of POU officers.
In 2023, the Gardaí allocated over €2.3 million towards enhancing public order capabilities, including approximately €467,000 for riot overalls, €442,000 for helmets, and €437,000 for protective pads. Additionally, €277,000 was spent on boots, €125,000 on fire-resistant base layers, €92,637 on batons, and €73,000 on baseball caps.
In the first half of 2024, further acquisitions totalling €905,652 were made, with €220,500 directed towards riot overalls, €218,600 for body armour, and €56,272 for groin protectors. Over €207,000 was invested in gloves, and €51,000 in trifold handcuffs intended for crowd control.
The Garda fleet, which already includes 31 public order vans, is expected to expand with 15 additional vans by the end of 2024. While no funds have yet been spent on water cannons, plans are underway to purchase two, with one currently on loan from the PSNI.
The Policing Authority is currently reviewing the Gardaí’s public order capabilities in response to the November 2023 riots, with findings anticipated soon.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee noted that decisions regarding these expenditures fall under the responsibility of Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.