Waterford

A Year of Commitment and Action — The Work of An Garda Síochána in County Waterford 2025
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In 2025, the Waterford Division of An Garda Síochána has undertaken a wide range of operations and initiatives — from substantial organised-crime disruptions and road-safety enforcement to innovative community-engagement efforts. The following is an in-depth look at the key achievements, ongoing challenges and strategic direction for policing in County Waterford.

Large-Scale Crime Disruption & Organised Crime Operations
In March 2025, Gardaí from the Waterford Drug & Crime Units, in conjunction with the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and Revenue Customs, carried out a major operation as part of Operation Tara: 152 kg of cocaine (estimated value €10.6 million) was intercepted after stopping a heavy goods vehicle on the M9 and executing searches at business and residential premises in Waterford.

In August 2025, another successful operation in County Waterford saw approximately 10 kg of suspected cocaine (valued at ~€700,000) and 1 kg of cannabis (valued at ~€20,000) seized following searches in Tramore and Waterford city. Two men (in their 20s and 50s) were arrested under the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act.

These operations exhibit a clear focus by the division on targeting the supply-side of the drug trade, disrupting high-value shipments and dismantling the infrastructure of organised crime within and through the county.

Road-Safety, Traffic Enforcement & Visible Policing
During a nationwide “Slow Down Day” traffic enforcement campaign in April 2025, the Waterford road-policing unit highlighted one driver caught travelling at 95 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on the R680 Cork Road, demonstrating the Division’s rigorous approach to speed enforcement.

Waterford Gardaí also supported a managed containment and pursuit operation in April 2025 after observing vehicles engaged in dangerous driving across Waterford and Kilkenny; eight male juveniles were arrested following the intervention.

These efforts highlight how traffic policing — including patrols, speed enforcement, pursuit interventions — remains a major part of the Division’s plan to keep roads safe, visibility high and prevent harm.

Community Engagement, Rural Outreach & Innovation
In April 2025, the “Garda Community Engagement Van” initiative travelled across rural locations in County Waterford (Portlaw, Rathgormack, Leamybrien, Stradbally) to host “clinics”: allowing residents to meet Gardaí, discuss concerns, report issues, and engage in areas not well-served by stationary stations.

In October 2025, this mobile unit was again deployed across the county, reinforcing the commitment to outreach and local accessibility.

These outreach initiatives signify an expanded role for the Gardaí in Waterford — not solely responding to crime but proactively engaging rural communities, improving accessibility and building trust.

Technology, Innovation & Infrastructure Support
County Waterford was part of the pilot rollout of Body-Worn Cameras (BWC) under the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023. On 5 September 2024, the Minister for Justice announced the launch of BWC across Waterford, marking it the third trial site after Dublin and Limerick.

This technology enhances accountability, evidence-gathering and officer/public safety — a step forward for the division’s operational capability in 2025.

Strategic Planning, Challenges & Resourcing
The Waterford Division, like many across the country, is operating in a context of evolving threats (organised crime, rural-beat demands, traffic-safety) and resource pressures. The major drug interceptions and rural outreach reflect proactive work; however, sustaining visibility and response times across a geographically large county remains an ongoing challenge.

Staffing, specialist units and rural beat coverage remain areas to watch: the increased complexity of crime (drug trafficking, vehicle theft, cross-border movement) demands specialist resourcing, while rural communities require accessible policing and engagement.

Looking Ahead – Priorities for the Remainder of 2025 & Beyond
Sustain Disruption of Organised Crime: With two major seizures already in 2025, maintaining momentum in targeting supply chains and organised groups is key.

Boost Rural Policing Presence: The rural outreach van is a positive step, but consistent beat presence, station accessibility and community policing remain vital.

Continue Traffic & Road-Safety Enforcement: With enforcement actions already visible, focusing also on education, prevention and young-driver engagement will deepen impact.

Embed Technology and Innovation: The BWC rollout gives an operational advantage, and further innovation (EV fleets, data-led policing) will support long-term sustainability.

Match Resources to Demand: Ensuring staffing, training, specialist units and infrastructure keep pace with demand — especially rural, coastal, tourism-related crime — will determine service-delivery quality.

Conclusion
For residents, businesses and visitors in County Waterford, the message from An Garda Síochána in 2025 is clear: proactive, engaged and evolving. Whether it’s high-impact investigations into large-scale drug operations, rigorous traffic enforcement, community-table outreach or leveraging new technology, the division is stepping up to meet modern policing demands while maintaining community-focused service.