More than €7.3 million has been allocated since early last year for extra equipment for the Garda National Public Order Unit (GNPOU), including over €325,000 spent on incapacitant spray rolled out following the November 2023 riots in Dublin city, reports Breaking News.
New figures released by Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD (FF), confirm that total spending on public order gear reached €6.33 million in 2024, with an additional €965,992 spent so far this year.
In a written response to Aidan Farrelly TD (Social Democrats), Minister O’Callaghan said: “An Garda Síochána are investing heavily in public order equipment”, reports Breaking News.
He added: “The new GNPOU body armour and protectors are top of the range and when delivered will provide members with unprecedented levels of protection, comfort and flexibility,” reports Breaking News.
Mr O’Callaghan noted that “supplies of Garda National Public Order Unit (GNPOU) uniform and PPE were increased following the November 2023 public order incident in Dublin city”.
The surge in spending on personal protection equipment for the GNPOU reflects the growing need for the unit’s presence at major public events, where it supports frontline Gardaí with tactical and proportionate responses to incidents, reports Breaking News.
Detailed figures given to Deputy Farrelly show that €2.08 million was spent in 2024 on GNPOU vehicles, including water cannon units.
Mr O’Callaghan confirmed that “water cannon vehicles were paid for in 2024 and delivered in 2025”.
The budget also includes €3.65 million over 2024 and 2025 on upgraded public order armour, secured through a tender. Minister O’Callaghan said the new body armour and limb protection system – due to be issued to all GNPOU members from Q4 2025 – were prepaid under the supplier contract, reports Breaking News.
He added that a separate order had been made for more body armour and replacement visors for helmets used by the public order unit.
Minister O’Callaghan’s breakdown reveals that Gardaí spent €325,821 on MK9 Incapacitant Spray; €56,272 on groin guards; €23,935 on balaclavas; €31,567 on boots; €77,830 on GNPOU gloves; €392,786 on riot overalls; €114,205 on round shields; €218,595 on torso guards; and €51,015 on trifold cuffs and related gear.
Additional spending included €21,525 on Peter Jones holsters, €56,027 on flame-resistant base layers, and €22,964 on equipment bags, reports Breaking News.
Across 2024 and 2025, the Gardaí also allocated €143,191 to GNPOU barriers and associated equipment.
Mr O’Callaghan stated: “Body armour was ordered in 2024 and, to secure the shortest possible lead time, was also paid for in 2024 as agreed with the supplier. A further order for 500 more units of body armour has not yet been finalised so there is no current spend to record.” reports Breaking News.
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