The launch of the Meath/Westmeath unit today fulfils a government commitment to complete the rollout of the units by the end of September.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: “I am very pleased to note that Divisional Protective Services Units have now been rolled out in all Garda divisions.

“The rollout of DPSUs means that specially trained officers are now available nationwide to ensure that when victims of domestic and sexual violence present to Gardaí – at perhaps their most vulnerable moment – they are met with professional and expert assistance.

“Tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence is one of my priorities as Minister for Justice and, in the coming weeks, I will publish a detailed plan on how to fully implement recommendations of the O’Malley Review.”

Personnel assigned to DPSUs have been provided with a bespoke training course consisting of a number of modules addressing issues such as: investigation of sexual crime; child protection; investigation of domestic abuse; online child exploitation and sex offender management.

The training course was developed by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) in conjunction with the Garda College.