There is no date for the introduction of drug testing of gardaí, almost five years after the policy was announced. In May of that year, the gardaí published their substance misuse policy, which describes how the misuse of drugs could “impair judgment” and could leave gardaí vulnerable to corruption and blackmail. It outlined how testing Garda personnel “will be introduced to prevent and deter their use”, and suggested a scheme would come into force in six months. When it is introduced, the testing of gardaí for controlled substances is planned to come under the remit of the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit (GACU). Applicants to the gardaí’s training programme do currently undergo a drug test as part of the hiring process.

Source: Irish Examiner January 25, 2026 11:20 UTC