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The Garda’s Mountain Bike Unit is to expand by a third, with mounted gardaí to partol in some divisions for the first time.

The number of bicycles on the beat across Garda divisions will be increased by 130 to 489.

The Garda Mountain Bike Unit was first established on a pilot basis in two Dublin districts in April 2001.

Within a year it was expanded throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region and introduced on a phased basis in Cork, Limerick and Galway.

“There are currently over 1,050 officers trained and equipped for mountain bike duties nationwide,” said a Garda spokesman.

“The units have proved extremely popular, with positive feedback from both local communities and business groups.”

Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern and Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy will officially launch the expansion of the unit tomorrow at Store Street Garda Station in Dublin.