An Garda Síochána

Tuesday, 2 December 2025

Ceisteanna (415)

Máire Devine

Ceist:

415. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of electronic devices collected by An Garda Síochána for technical examination in the course of criminal prosecutions both from suspects and witnesses/complainants; the length of time between collection and when analysis was begun; and when the device was returned to its owner, from 1 January 2020 to 30 November 2025, by district, offence name, by year, in tabular form. [67728/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I am advised that for operational reasons, An Garda Síochána are not in a position to provide figures for this request.

The Garda authorities have informed me that a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources would be required to collate the data requested, relative to the information sought. The category of electronics covers phones, laptops, smartwatches and a wide range of other devices which are commonly collected in the course of criminal investigations, for a variety of reasons.

As a result, the data requested is too broad for Garda authorities to provide a response to the questions posed.