Garda Crime and Security Branch

Garda Crime and Security Branch
Irish: Bhrainse Coireachta agus Slándála
Agency overview
Preceding agency
  • C3
JurisdictionIreland
HeadquartersPhoenix Park, Dublin (D8)53°21′13.4″N 6°17′54.5″W / 53.353722°N 6.298472°W / 53.353722; -6.298472
EmployeesUndisclosed
Annual budgetUndisclosed (part of Garda Síochána budget, €1.34 billion in 2014)
Minister responsible
Agency executives
Parent agency Garda Síochána
WebsiteOfficial website

The Crime and Security Branch (CSB) (Irish: Brainse Coireachta agus Slándála) – previously known as C3 – is responsible for the administration of national security, counter terrorism and serious crime investigations within the Garda Síochána, the national police force of Ireland.[1] The section oversees intelligence relating to subversive, paramilitary and terrorism matters, conducts counter-intelligence, liaises with foreign law enforcement agencies, handles confidential informants, administers VIP and witness protection, monitors potential corrupt Garda officers and provides information on threats to the state to the Garda Commissioner and Government of Ireland.[2]

The Crime & Security Branch comprises a number of Garda units, which it collects information from and issues directives to. The Garda CSB is based at Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. It is headed by the Assistant commissioner in charge of Crime and Security, and is staffed mainly by senior officers and intelligence analysts.[3] The branch is responsible for up to 500 Garda officers in other units, who are mainly detectives with investigative duties.[4] CSB maintain the National Intelligence Database, which collates intelligence received from all its sources, and is linked to that of G2.[5]

  1. ^ "FBI's man puts away Michael McKevitt". Phoenix Magazine. 11 September 2003. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  2. ^ Mulqueen, Michael. "United We Stand? EU Counter-Terrorism Initiatives". 23 February 2005. European Institute, University College Dublin (UCD). Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  3. ^ "Ireland, Intelligence and Security". 2014. Espionage Information FAQs. Archived from the original on 30 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  4. ^ Cusack, Jim (13 April 2014). "How Tango Squad evolved from watching a gangster to the Garda 'Big Brother'". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  5. ^ Mulqueen, Michael (2009). Re-evaluating Irish national security policy : affordable threats?. Manchester: Manchester University Press. ISBN 978-0-7190-8027-2.