The number of Garda members in the Republic has surged to a record level of 14,750 as hundreds of recruits are on Friday sworn in in an emergency measure due to the Covid19 crisis. The size of the Garda force, excluding civilian Garda staff, has increased by 500 members since the start of the year. There have been a small number of positive tests for Covid-19 among Garda members in recent days. However, Garda sources said there was nothing to suggest these crimes had arisen because of Covid19. Some Garda members who spoke to The Irish Times said they were concerned domestic violence would increase.

Source: The Irish Times March 20, 2020 00:56 UTC