Thurles Information

Irish Cabinet approval has been secured for priority drafting of the Criminal Justice (International Cooperation Office) Bill 2025, which will establish the Criminal Justice International Cooperation Office and set out its powers in line with the EU e-Evidence Regulation and Directive.

The EU e-Evidence Package allows authorities in one EU Member State to issue an order to produce electronic evidence needed for a criminal investigation to an online service provider, based in another EU Member State.

In 2018, the European Commission estimated that electronic evidence was relevant in 85% of criminal investigations and that 55% of all criminal investigations required a request by the investigating authorities to service providers across borders (i.e. based in another jurisdiction).

The e-Evidence Package will regulate this practice and apply the same rules to all online service providers across the EU, providing legal certainty and clarity for businesses and law enforcement.

The establishment of the Criminal Justice International Cooperation Office will provide a cohesive approach to digital regulation in the criminal justice space by centralising the necessary skills and expertise, and ensuring a streamlined regulatory framework based around a single regulator.

This approach is further strengthened by government approval to incorporate other international co-operation instruments, such as the European Investigation Order Directive, into the implementation of the EU e-Evidence Package.

Further intake of Garda recruits will enter the Garda College in Templemore, Co. Tipperary next week.

The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Mr Jim O’Callaghan T.D. has welcomed the attestation of 120 new members of An Garda Síochána, at an attestation ceremony in the Garda College in Templemore, Co. Tipperary today.

The new Garda members will now be assigned by the Commissioner, to Garda Divisions throughout the country, where they will begin their careers in An Garda Síochána.

Speaking at the Garda College today, Minister O’Callaghan said: “My focus is on ensuring Ireland is a safer place for everyone. Making sure that An Garda Siochana is at full-strength is a core part of that. This Government has made a commitment, and we will recruit at least 5,000 new Gardaí over the next five years.
I am pleased that a further 170 recruits will enter the Garda College this coming Monday 9th June.”

Of the 120 attesting today, 89 are men and 31 are women.

Minister O’Callaghan added: “I want to congratulate our new Garda members as they attest from the Garda College and join their new stations across the country. Some 74 of the new Members (61.6%) will be deployed across the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
For each new Garda attesting today, this is a milestone that marks the beginning of a fulfilling career dedicated to protecting the community and to public service.
That strong relationship between our Gardaí and the community is not the norm in many countries and it is something we must never take for granted. I know that each one of these Gardaí will continue in this great tradition”.

• New GNIB Facilities Planned for Shannon Airport.

Fine Gael Deputy Mr Joe Cooney is calling for increased resourcing to tackle the illegal drug trade across the Mid-West region, after figures released to the Clare Fine Gael TD reveal that there are just 18 Garda members assigned to the Clare/Tipperary Divisional Drugs Unit.

In response to a Parliamentary Question (PQ), the Minister for Justice, Mr Jim O’Callaghan, said that 15 Gardaí and 3 Sergeants are currently attached to the Divisional Drugs Unit, which covers an area stretching from Loop Head Lighthouse, West Clare – to Ballyvaughan, North Clare – to Carrick-on-Suir, South Tipperary.

Deputy Cooney stated, “Tackling drug dealing and targeting the work of organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation, violence, and misery on families and communities across Ireland, must be a top priority for this Government.
I fully support the measures being taken at national level as part of Government plans to tackle illegal drug use, but there is a need for greater resourcing of our Drugs Units.
Measures such as increasing the maximum sentences for those who direct gangland and drug-related crime, and introducing initiatives aimed at breaking the link between gangs and the children they try to recruit, are welcome,” he explained.
“However, the resourcing of our Drugs Units remains our most effective tool for taking drugs off our streets and cracking down on those directly engaged in drug trafficking.”

He continued: “The Clare/Tipperary Divisional Drugs Unit has been doing outstanding work in tackling the scourge of illegal drugs in our communities — but they urgently need more resources to sustain and strengthen that effort. I am calling on the Minister for Justice and Garda management to allocate additional personnel and resources to the Divisional Drugs Unit to support the great work they are doing as highlighted in recent significant seizures. We need to ensure that Gardaí on the front lines of this fight have the tools, support, and numbers required to disrupt drug networks, protect our young people, and safeguard our towns and rural communities.
Drugs are destroying lives and tearing families apart. A strong, well-resourced Divisional Drugs Unit is critical to turning the tide and restoring a sense of safety and security across Clare and Tipperary,” he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Cooney has received confirmation from the Minister for Justice of plans to develop new facilities for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) at Shannon Airport.

In response to the Clare TD’s PQ on the GNIB, Minister O’Callaghan said the Shannon Airport Group is currently developing a design scheme to redevelop the Arrivals Hall, including new, modern facilities for the GNIB and other State functions.

The Minister commented, “The GNIB, and other State bodies, have recently approved the design layout for their new accommodation and the next step is the commencement of the tender process by the Shannon Airport Group. The works, which will be required to be phased to ensure the continuation of services, are currently expected to be complete in 2027, subject to agreement on funding and the appropriate governance approvals being in place.”

As of May 2025, 13 Gardaí are based at Shannon Airport, consisting of both Sergeant and Garda ranks.