Taxpayers have spent over €6 million on the Garda Band since 2022, according to newly released data, reports Breaking News.
Comprising 24 full-time musicians who carry Garda ranks like inspector and sergeant, the band does not carry out policing duties. Over the period, they performed at nearly 500 events, averaging more than €12,300 per appearance.
Some engagements involved just one bugler, and close to 30% of performances were school concerts. Over half were community-based, including shows in nursing homes, reports Breaking News.
The group also performs at formal Garda occasions like former member funerals and Templemore College graduation ceremonies. It regularly appears at public events such as the Rose of Tralee.
Freedom of Information records show that the Garda Band’s expenses reached €1.78 million in 2024. Musicians and support staff earned an average of €67,676 each, reports Breaking News.
Additional costs included over €60,000 for equipment and communications, and €17,591 for travel and subsistence. The band played at 124 events last year, each costing around €14,341 on average.
Appearances in 2024 included visits to schools, the “Black Santa” December fundraiser, the Dublin Pride Parade, the Ballina Salmon Festival, and a Stillorgan “old folks dinner,” reports Breaking News.
Based in the Phoenix Park, the Garda Band includes professionally trained musicians who are sworn members of An Garda Síochána. They complete basic training so they can assist with policing if necessary.
Founded shortly after the State’s inception, the band was dissolved in 1965 by then justice minister Brian Lenihan Sr., who claimed it had “outlived its usefulness” and was “excessive, wasteful, and out of all proportion to any purpose served”, reports Breaking News.
The Garda Band was revived in 1972 to mark An Garda Síochána’s 50th anniversary and has remained active ever since.
A Garda spokesperson stated that the band supports both state and Garda functions and plays a role in building strong relationships between the police and the public.
“It achieves this through the performance of a varied, entertainment-focused programme which evolves to suit every audience, event or setting,” he added. “Many Garda Band concerts serve not only as Garda community relations events, but as essential fundraising opportunities for local communities, sports clubs and charities. The band plays a cultural role on behalf of the state, in bringing live musical performance of every musical genre, to communities nationwide, many of whom would not otherwise experience live music,” reports Breaking News.
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