Creating the PCSA brought together the Policing Authority and the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to create a policing oversight body unique in Europe, combining oversight and inspection functions in one statutory framework. A core objective of its work is to oversee and assess the performance of An Garda Síochána and its policing services in communities across Ireland.

The outcome of its work in 2025 measured the Garda’s performance against the Annual Policing Plan 2025 and Policing Priorities for 2025 and found 10 targets ‘on target’, 7 ‘at risk’ and one ‘off target’. Community Engagement was off target.

Progress, however, was identified with targeting and disrupting organised crime supported by intelligence led policing, cooperation with Europol and international law enforcement partners. 

Drug related intimidation, however, remains an ongoing challenge with the PCSA identifying it as a serious policing and community safety issue.

Chief executive of the PCSA, Helen Hall, told RTE’s News at One: “You’d have to be blind and deaf to not realise that drugs-related intimidation is such a serious concern for everybody across the country.”

“It’s really serious - organised crime gangs groom children.

“This is not something that An Garda Síochána can do alone, and it’s a really difficult problem because there’s fear factors.

“Families are getting contacted, maybe a loved one is involved in either selling drugs or using drugs, they build up drug debt and suddenly the family’s targeted, and assets and all sorts of threats.

“It’s really, really, really difficult so we’re not saying that this is an easy issue for the guards to deal with.”