Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024

The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 marks the most comprehensive overhaul of Ireland’s policing and security legislation in decades. Enacted in April 2025, this transformative statute is the Oireachtas’ principal response to the 2018 Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, embedding its visionary recommendations into law.

This authoritative Annotation offers in-depth commentary on the 2024 Act and all associated secondary legislation, current to the end of June 2025. Key reforms include:

• Five guiding policing principles, including human rights protection and community engagement, now central to statutory policing functions.
• Governance reform within An Garda Síochána, introducing Bord an Gharda Síochána, a new non-executive oversight body.
• Creation of An Oifig Náisiúnta um Shábháilteacht Pobail, tasked with implementing the National Strategy for Improving Community Safety through local partnerships.
• Establishment of An tÚdarás Póilíneachta Agus Sábháilteachta Pobail, merging the roles of the Policing Authority and Garda Inspectorate.
• Launch of Fiosrú – The Office of the Police Ombudsman, replacing GSOC and modernising complaints procedures.
• Introduction of An Scrúdaitheoir Neamhspleách um Reachtaíocht Slándála, a new independent office overseeing security legislation.

This book is an essential resource for legal professionals, policymakers, and academics seeking to understand the future framework of policing in Ireland.