22 September 2026

Foilsíonn Oifig an Stiúrthóra Ionchúiseamh Poiblí Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2025

NÓTA: Tá an preasráiteas seo á aistriú go Gaeilge faoi láthair agus beidh sé ar fáil go luath.

Today, Tuesday 22 September, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) published its Annual Report 2025, revealing continued growth in prosecutorial activity, including a 5% increase in investigation files received and record levels of Central Criminal Court sittings. The report also contains county-by-county data on prosecution activity across Ireland, reflecting the Office’s role in delivering a nationwide prosecution service through its network of State Solicitors and prosecution counsel.

The comprehensive overview of the work conducted during the 12-month period can be accessed HERE.

The work undertaken in the ODPP is underpinned by the Office’s guiding mission which is to deliver a fair, independent, and effective prosecution service on behalf of all the people of Ireland.

Key Statistics

• The ODPP received a total of 17,470 investigation files, representing a 5% increase on 2024.
• Of these, 11,973 files (involving 14,975 suspects) related to serious offences requiring consideration by lawyers in the Directing and Specialist Units Division as to whether a prosecution should be initiated or continued.
• Of the suspects that were subject of files received during 2025, a prosecution was directed in 66% of cases – 33% prosecution on indictment and 33% summary disposal. No prosecution was directed in 32% of cases.
• 638 requests for reasons for decisions not to prosecute were received from victims of crime, along with 245 requests for reviews of such decisions.
• 73% of all cases requiring a prosecution decision were dealt with within four weeks.
• Between 2019 and 2025, the number of Central Criminal Court sitting dates nationally more than trebled from 1,888 to 5,663, with an 8% increase from 2024 to 2025.
• The number of Central Criminal Court sittings outside Dublin also continued to increase, rising from 271 sitting dates in 2019 to 867 in 2025.
• During 2025, 34 applications were made to the Court of Appeal seeking review of sentences on the grounds of undue leniency. Of the applications heard during the year, 23 were successful.
• The Office dealt with 214 confiscation and forfeiture orders granted by the courts, with over €12m returned to the Exchequer.
• 15 terabytes of evidential material, including mobile phone downloads, CCTV footage, and other digital records, was received and reviewed.

Writing in her foreword the Director, Catherine Pierse, commented:

The statistics contained in this report demonstrate a sustained high level of activity across the criminal justice system. The Office received almost 17,500 prosecution files during the year, while court activity, particularly in the Central Criminal Court, continued at historically elevated levels. These figures highlight the volume of prosecutorial activity and the increasingly complex environment in which the prosecution service operates.”

50th Anniversary

2025 marked the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of the ODPP, a milestone that prompted both reflection on the past and anticipation for what lies ahead, as the Director, Catherine Pierse, writes in her foreword.

This milestone provided an opportunity to reflect on the vision that informed the creation of the Office in 1975 and on the enduring importance of prosecutorial independence in maintaining public confidence in the rule of law. It also prompted us to consider the challenges and opportunities that will shape the prosecution service in the years ahead.”

Those future challenges continue to be addressed in a new three-year strategy which was published during 2025.  Strategy Statement 2025-2027 sets out three strategic goals:

1. Driving excellence and high professional standards
2. Maintaining public confidence in the criminal prosecution service
3. Building a culture of innovation and collaboration to support service improvements in the criminal justice system

Disclosure

One of the most significant challenges facing prosecution services both nationally and internationally remains disclosure, as the Director outlines:

Two important judgments – WC and AM – delivered during 2024 and 2025 respectively, required us to carefully review aspects of our disclosure practice. In response, we undertook extensive policy, operational and training work during 2025, including a fundamental revision of our approach to the disclosure of counselling records. This involved closer engagement with An Garda Síochána and other stakeholders, updated internal guidance, and ongoing examination of how best to fulfil our disclosure obligations in a manner that is fair, proportionate, and consistent with the rights of all involved.  Disclosure will remain a key area of focus for the Office in the years ahead.”

Digital Capacity

The report also highlights the commencement of the most significant digital modernisation programme undertaken by the Office in recent years, namely the development of a new case management system that will modernise the Office’s digital capabilities and support future service delivery. The Director describes the importance of the project:

We commenced a multi-year project to replace our existing case management system with a modern, flexible platform capable of supporting the prosecution service into the future. This is a significant organisational project that will play an important role in modernising the Office’s digital capabilities. Alongside wider investment in digital infrastructure and information management, it will help ensure that the Office can respond effectively to increasing volumes of data, evolving methods of criminal investigation and growing demands for efficiency and service excellence.”

As the prosecution environment continues to evolve and the level of activity continues to grow, the ODPP remains focused on ensuring that it is equipped to meet changing demands through investment in its people, processes, and systems.

ENDS

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MEDIA ENQUIRIES:  Contact Orlagh Flood, Head of Governance and Communications / media.liaison@dppireland.ie

Maidir le hOifig an Stiúrthóra Ionchúiseamh Poiblí: Tá an Stiúrthóir Ionchúiseamh Poiblí, Catherine Pierse, neamhspleách i gcomhlíonadh a feidhmeanna. Is iad seo na dualgais atá ar an Stiúrthóir:

• an dlí coiriúil a fhorfheidhmiú sna cúirteanna ar son mhuintir na hÉireann;
• ionchúisimh phoiblí a threorú agus a mhaoirsiú ar díotáil sna cúirteanna;
• treoir agus comhairle ghinearálta a thabhairt don Gharda Síochána maidir le cásanna achoimre; agus
• treoir shonrach a thabhairtdon Gharda Síochána i gcásanna ina n-iarrtar í.

Cliceáil anseo chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoi obair Oifig an Stiúrthóra Ionchúiseamh Poiblí.

Cliceáil anseo chun tuilleadh a léamh faoi chomóradh 50 bliain na hOifige agus faoin leabhar a coimisiúnaíodh go speisialta Stair Oifig an Stiúrthóra Ionchúiseamh Poiblí: 1975-2025

Cliceáil anseo chun rochtain a fháil ar ár sraith de leabhráin eolais Béarla Simplí