Dramatic drop in number of gardaí attached to ODCE

THE number of gardaí attached to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement has dropped significantly since the office was established more than 15 years ago.

In figures released to the Irish Mail on Sunday this week, there are currently just six gardaí seconded to the ODCE.

In 2010, there were a total of 10 gardaí, while in 2001 there were seven gardaí attached to the office.

Earlier this year, Fianna Fáil jobs spokesman Niall Collins described the staffing levels at the ODCE as ‘dangerously low’. The fall in Garda resources comes to light in the same week the ODCE said it was now a ‘very different’ organisation with ‘enhanced’ staffing capabilities.

In a statement released following the acquittal of Seán FitzPatrick, the office said it ‘fully accepts’ the criticism, adding that it had undergone ‘substantial’ organisational change: ‘It is a very different organisation to what it was at that time. At that time, the ODCE was simply not equipped to undertake parallel investigations on the scale involved. A new director was appointed in… 2012 and, over the intervening period, the ODCE’s structures have undergone significant change. Staffing capabilities have been enhanced, through the recruitment of several investigative accountants as well as a digital forensics specialist.

‘Investigative procedures have been completely overhauled, with members of An Garda Síochána now taking the lead on all criminal investigations.’

Figures released by the Government at the start of this year revealed a different story. They showed overall staffing had fallen by more than 18% since 2010, or 24.5% when the number of gardaí working in the office is included.

In response to a parliamentary question from Mr Collins in February, Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell-O’Connell said there were 35 people employed in the ODCE last year, down from 43 in 2010.

The number of gardaí working at the ODCE has also fallen.

Mr Collins said these staffing levels were ‘dangerously low’ and could hinder the office in identifying issues.