Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has revealed that there were just 81 cybersecurity Gardaí last year – a fraction of the number of Garda Diversity Officers.
In response to a parliamentary question this week, the Minister confirmed that the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) operated with a total of 81 staff in 2025.
By contrast, the number of Garda Diversity Officers reached 536 during the same year – over six times more.
The Garda National Diversity Unit is responsible for monitoring hate crime and “Hate Related Incidents” via PULSE, social and written media, and third-party referrals.
It also focuses on developing strategy and operational guidelines for diversity, as well as providing training to Garda Diversity Officers.
According to the European Commission website, the role of these officers is to liaise with minority communities to ensure police services are available “without discrimination.”
Reacting to the figures, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has said it is “scandalous” that the number of Gardaí assigned to cybercrime is so low.
In an exclusive interview with Gript this morning, the Aontú leader said there is a “complete mismatch” between Garda resources and the actual threats currently facing the country.
“It is scandalous that the number of Gardaí applied in relation to cybercrime is so low,” he said.
“This country had a shocking cyberattack a number of years ago that cost well over €100 million in relation to the HSE, and also actually reduced the level of healthcare that was provided to a large number of people.”
Tóibín expressed concern that while over six times more officers are assigned to diversity, communities are “crying out” for a focus on real crime.
“In my time as an elected representative, communities are crying out for Gardaí in terms of crime and anti-social behaviour, sexual assault, thefts, break-ins,” he said.
“We have a massive dearth and lack of capacity within the Garda system that is leading significantly to increased crime levels in this country, especially in terms of sexual assault.”
The Aontú leader added that despite the right of every community to live safely, the current allocation of resources is not sustainable.
“And yet we seem to have Gardaí’s time being taken up in relation to these issues of diversity,” he said.
“There’s no doubt all of these communities would want a proper staffed Garda station able to deal with real crime.”
The issue of Garda resources has proven controversial as recent figures show a total of 52 stations across the country currently have no Gardaí assigned to them.
Authorities have warned that the risk of cyberattacks from malign actors is increasing significantly in recent years.
According to the Irish State’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), “State-aligned” hackers previously carried out a “politically-motivated” cyber attack on water infrastructure in the West of Ireland, leaving 160 houses without water for days.