The Minister for Justice has condemned growing "acts of violence and intimidation" being faced by frontline gardaí.
Members of An Garda Síochána who died in the line of duty were remembered at a memorial in Dublin Castle.
Since the force was formed in 1922, 89 gardaí have lost their lives while in service.
Their names were read aloud at the interfaith service in the Dubh Linn Gardens, to friends, family and colleagues, as well as Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.
At the event, Ms McEntee said that recent years have seen a "tiny criminal minority" targeting the "most vulnerable" members of society.
She praised the force for meeting new challenges with "courage and honour".
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She said: "Violence and intimidation targeted first and foremost at some of the most vulnerable people in our society, and we have once again seen An Garda Síochána meet these challenges with courage, with honour and with respect for the public at the core of everything that they do.
"We've seen many hundreds of protests. The vast, vast majority peaceful but, a small number where a violent element have tried to undermine our society.
"Throughout every one of these events, garda members respected the democratic right of people to protest, to make their voice heard, while upholding the law and responding appropriately to the shameful acts of violence.
"I know that I'm joined by every single person in this country who values our freedom and our democratic rights when I condemn utterly and completely any apparent attacks on gardaí.
"Any such attack represents an attack on our entire community, an attempt to undermine and to destroy our society. It is an attack on our very democracy and our fundamental rights."
Paying tribute to gardaí who lost their lives while in service, Ms McEntee said that "we take great pride in the courage of those who sacrificed so much".
She added: "Each tragic death leads a void in the lives of each family that lingers on long after the event itself, and I know often that colleagues are left with an indescribable sense of loss, the extent of which very few of us, I think can never fully understand."
Memorial filled with 'complex emotion' - Commissioner
The Garda Commissioner said those honoured today have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country.
He said: "The death of any loved one cuts deep and leaves a wound that will never fully be healed. The fact that these 89 gave their lives in the service of the state makes this all the more difficult. But their sacrifice has not been in vain.
"They, through their actions and their work kept people, communities and our country safe.
"And on Memorial Day, we in An Garda Síochána and the citizens of Ireland get to pay tribute to these 89 honourable men. On this day we are here for their families and those who grieve."
He added that the memorial was a bittersweet day filled with "complex emotion".
"On days like today we are afforded a chance to remember. It affords us the opportunity to share stories and memories. Some may be painful and cause us to shed a tear. Others may make us smile."
"I've learned of their bravery, their sacrifices, their dedication to their job within An Garda Síochána and indeed their dedication to their families. And it is through the sharing of these stories that we keep the memories of our fallen heroes alive," he added.
Relatives, friends pay tribute
Relatives and friends of several gardaí also took part in the interfaith ceremony.
One of which was Fiona Hand, whose father Frank was killed by the IRA while on duty in August 1984, who believes the memorial brings a sense of community to those in grieving.
She said: "We would have friends through the years. I would have friends in similar situations whose fathers had passed away.
"It gives you a shared sense of what's going on. It's very difficult to make sense of it as a child growing up, but the community that's here, it's lovely to come together once a year and remember them."
Paschal Duffy, whose great grand uncle Arthur Nolan died after being hit with a hatchet 100 years ago in February 1924, described the event as a "fantastic day for all concerned".
"I think any person who serves his country and dies for his country deserves something. I think it's wonderful to think that 89 people are honoured every year."
"And, you just have to look at the crowds that are here today and the people that are here, and it makes it so important," he said.
Minister McEntee and Commissioner Harris ended the ceremony by laying blue ribboned wreaths for their fallen colleagues, as the Irish flag was raised.
After a minute’s silence, Amhrán na bhFiann was played.
