The number of Gardaí quitting the force early is at its highest level in at least five years.

Almost 400 officers have resigned since 2018, according to new figures.

There are around 14,300 Gardaí stationed throughout the country.

Around 300 retire every year after serving 30 years' service. However, a further 399 have resigned prematurely since 2018.

There were 77 in 2018; but that figure had risen by almost one-quarter by last year to 95.

Brendan O'Connor is president of the Garda Representative Association (GRA). He said there are several factors.

"The shortage of numbers, officer burnout, the pressure on the frontline.

"Basically, a lot of people are finding that An Garda Síochána just isn't an attractive career and they're giving it up.

"I suppose pensions and pay and conditions aren't what they used to be when it was a job for life.

There's something seriously wrong when people are leaving."

Aontú leader Peadar Toibin has said the number of resignations in the past five years is concerning.

"400 Gardaí is a significant number of Gardaí, given the fact that we already have a very low number of police in this country.

"Indeed, Ireland is one of the lowest policed countries in the EU at the moment," he added.

There were 86 resignations in the first nine months of this year, suggesting the figure for 2022 will well exceed 100.