Laois

A Year of Focus & Forward Motion — An Garda Síochána in County Laois (2025)
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In 2025, the Laois/Offaly Division of An Garda Síochána has advanced its policing approach amid operational change, staffing fluctuations and evolving local demands. This feature takes a deeper look at the major initiatives, notable challenges and strategic direction in County Laois.

Structural Reform & Staffing Developments
On 23 February 2025, the Laois/Offaly Division officially adopted the four-functional-area “Operating Model” structure — with dedicated leadership for Community Engagement, Crime, Performance Assurance and Business Services.

Key appointments included: Patrick O’Callaghan (Detective Superintendent) at Portlaoise, responsible for the Crime Functional Area.

Dermot Drea (Superintendent) at Mountmellick, responsible for Performance Assurance.

Declan Dunne (Superintendent) at Portlaoise, responsible for Community Engagement.

According to figures reported in August 2025, the division had 388 Gardaí as of 30 June 2025, representing an increase of 26 from 2023.

However, concerns remain: local councillors in August 2025 claimed that Garda numbers are “drastically reduced” in certain districts and that replacements and community policing meetings are delayed.

Interpretation: The division is undergoing significant structural reform and sees welcome recruitment progress — but the transition brings pressure to ensure those structural changes translate into enhanced frontline effectiveness and community visibility.

Community Policing & Local Engagement
In Laois Town (Portlaoise), a ground-breaking “Sectoral Policing” initiative divides the town into eight zones, each with a dedicated Community Garda supported by local beat patrols. The model aims to improve visibility, responsiveness and community link-up.

The local Joint Policing Committee (JPC) remains a key forum for community and Garda interaction, though there have been complaints about delays in meetings and lack of resource follow-through.

The “prevention-led” priority of the 2024 Divisional Policing Plan emphasises local engagement, early intervention and problem-solving at community level.

Interpretation: In Laois the shift towards community-facing policing is apparent — especially in urban zones like Portlaoise — yet implementing that model consistently across the county (including rural beat areas) remains a work in progress.

Road Safety, Traffic Incidents & Response
On 22 February 2025, Gardaí responded to a fatal road traffic collision in Kilminchy, Portlaoise (a 5-year-old pedestrian was fatally injured). The incident underscores the road-safety challenge in urban areas of Laois.

Under the national framework (not strictly Laois-specific), the division supported high-visibility roads-policing operations: across the country in February, over 2,200 drivers were detected for speeding during a five-day operation; Laois/Offaly formed part of that endeavour.

Interpretation: Traffic and road safety remain key areas of operational focus. Fatal incidents highlight the need for both enforcement and education, particularly in built-up and commuter zones.

Crime, Scenes of Crime & Resource Allocation
Data released in August 2025 shows that the Laois/Offaly Division had only five members assigned to the Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit as of 30 June 2025 — the lowest number of any Garda division nationwide.

While the division enjoyed a modest overall staffing increase, the low number of forensic-support staff presents concerns about capacity for effective investigation of serious crime.

The Policing Plan emphasises detection, disruption and crime-reduction as pillars of activity.

Interpretation: Although overall Garda numbers in Laois have improved, gaps in specialist resources (e.g., forensic scene-investigation) remain potential bottlenecks in delivering robust policing outcomes.

Strategic Outlook — Challenges & Opportunities
Opportunities: Continued deployment of additional Gardaí (e.g., Zone-based community teams) can enhance day-to-day visibility and prevention-led policing.

Structural reform offers potential to streamline command, focus resources and deliver better alignment between community engagement and crime functions.

Urban focus (Portlaoise) offers a platform to refine the sector-zoned model and then extend best practice to smaller towns and rural beat areas.

Challenges: Ensuring resources (Garda numbers, specialist units) match the reform ambition and geography of the county (including rural-town interface).

Translating structural change into tangible public experience — visibility, beat patrols, rapid response, community link-ups.

Dealing with high-impact incidents (traffic fatalities, serious crime) while maintaining the everyday policing service that builds trust.

Addressing the imbalance in forensic/support resources (Scenes of Crime Unit) to ensure investigations keep pace.

Final Word
For residents, businesses and visitors of County Laois, the message from An Garda Síochána in 2025 is one of intent, restructure and community-focus. The division is actively adapting — with new operating-model alignment, increased recruitment and innovative community policing approaches. But the real test lies in execution: visible presence, effective response, rural coverage and giving the public confidence that policing isn’t just strategic but felt at the street-level.