Garda numbers in Drogheda have increased significantly over the past decade, with 132 officers based in the town at the end of December last year, compared to 95 in 2015.
The increase is partly linked to additional resources assigned during the drug feud in recent years, many of whom have remained in the area. The increase also reflects the region’s population growth in recent years.
In Ardee, there are now 35 Gardaí based locally, an increase of 10 compared to 2015. However, that figure has dropped by five compared to the previous year.
Dundalk currently has 126 Gardaí, which is 19 fewer than a decade ago. The decrease is believed to be linked to a reduction in cross border crime. During the Troubles, Dundalk was one of the busiest stations in the country, with a strong focus on monitoring activity along the South Armagh and Louth border.
The figures, obtained by the Irish Independent, also show that around 40 per cent of Garda stations nationwide have fewer officers than they did in 2020.
