Only Six Frontline Gardaí to Receive Pursuit Training in 2026 as AGSI Warns of Policy Vacuum on Vehicle Chases
Only six frontline gardaí are expected to complete specialist vehicle pursuit training by the end of 2026, despite commitments from Garda management and the Minister for Justice to begin the programme following a series of fatal road incidents, with the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors warning that existing official policy provides "absolutely no direction" on how to conduct a pursuit.
Background
The question of vehicle pursuit training within An Garda Síochána has been a source of growing concern for several years, but it came to a head in August 2026 following a fatal crash on the M9 motorway in County Kilkenny involving a vehicle travelling against the flow of traffic. The incident, which was linked to a joyriding video that had circulated on TikTok, prompted intense scrutiny of the Garda's capacity to safely pursue and intercept dangerous drivers.
Unlike police forces in the United Kingdom, where vehicle pursuit training is a standard component of operational policing, An Garda Síochána has historically lacked a formal pursuit training programme. Officers have been expected to make judgements about whether and how to pursue vehicles without the benefit of specialist training or clear policy guidance. Representative bodies have long argued that this situation places both officers and the public at risk, and that the absence of a defined policy leaves members vulnerable to disciplinary action if a pursuit results in an accident.
Garda driving instructors have been undergoing training in the United Kingdom with Devon and Cornwall Police to bridge the current skills gap, and the Garda College expects to have approximately 40 instructors trained by the end of 2026. However, the translation of that instructor capacity into frontline training has proved far slower than initially suggested.
Key Developments
Chief Superintendent Brian Sugrue, director of training at the Garda College, told an Oireachtas committee on 15 September that a "very small" number of frontline gardaí — realistically only six — would complete the pursuit training by the end of 2026. A wider rollout is projected for 2027, but representatives from the AGSI have cautioned that it could take until 2028 or 2029 before significant numbers of the force are trained, given the intensity of policing requirements associated with Ireland's EU Presidency and other high-profile events scheduled for late 2026.
The AGSI and the Garda Representative Association have expressed significant frustration with the pace of progress. Both bodies have argued that a "cultural issue" regarding risk aversion within the organisation is a primary obstacle to effective enforcement, with officers reluctant to engage in pursuits for fear of the consequences if something goes wrong. The AGSI has stated that existing official policy provides "absolutely no direction" on how to conduct a pursuit, leaving members in a state of confusion. Assistant Commissioner Denis Ferry acknowledged that there is currently no "defined timeline" for when all relevant members will be fully trained.
The GRA and AGSI have also called for increased legal protections for officers involved in pursuits, including indemnity for contra-flow incidents and the introduction of separate driving licences for official duties, to ensure that members are not left exposed to personal liability when performing their duties in good faith.
Why It Matters
The pursuit training gap is not merely an operational matter; it has direct consequences for road safety and public confidence in the Garda. When dangerous drivers know that the Garda lacks the training and policy framework to pursue them safely, it reduces the deterrent effect of policing on the roads. The M9 incident in August 2026 was a stark illustration of the consequences: a vehicle travelling the wrong way on a motorway, linked to a social media joyriding culture, and a Garda response constrained by the absence of clear guidance. Ireland's road death toll has been a persistent concern, and the failure to equip frontline officers with the tools and training to respond effectively to dangerous driving is a significant gap in the state's road safety strategy. The contrast with the situation in Northern Ireland, where PSNI officers receive pursuit training as a matter of course, is particularly pointed.
Local Impact
The pursuit training deficit affects gardaí and communities across the country, but it is particularly acute in areas where joyriding and dangerous driving are persistent problems. In Dublin, where incidents involving stolen vehicles and high-speed chases through residential areas have been a recurring issue in communities including Tallaght, Clondalkin, and Ballymun, the absence of trained pursuit officers limits the Garda's capacity to respond effectively. In rural areas, where distances are greater and backup is slower to arrive, the lack of pursuit capability can mean that dangerous drivers escape without consequence. The Garda College has indicated that the 2027 rollout will prioritise districts with the highest incidence of vehicle-related crime, but the specific allocation of training places has not yet been confirmed.
What's Next
The Oireachtas Justice Committee is expected to hold further hearings on the pursuit training issue in October 2026. The Minister for Justice has indicated that she will seek an update from Garda management on the training timeline before the end of the month. The AGSI has called for a formal policy document on vehicle pursuits to be published before the end of 2026, regardless of the pace of training rollout, so that officers have clear guidance on what is expected of them. A broader review of Garda driving standards and vehicle fleet management is also expected to be completed before the end of the year.
