Fantastic day in Templemore as sun lights up Garda graduation day

108 Gardaí were attested as sworn members of An Garda Síochána  in bright sunshine at an outdoor ceremony last Friday morning at the Garda College in Templemore. 

Family members and friends of the new members turned up in great style to  Templemore  for  the ceremony which was attended by the Minister of Justice Helen McEntee. 

The breakdown of new Gardaí is 80 Male and 28 Female (74% male, 26% female) with 9 of the Gardaí born outside the state and hailing respectively from Slovakia, Poland, Romania, India and Lithuania, Ethiopia.

One probationer was a former Reserve Garda. Currently the strength of An Garda Síochána is 14,146 Sworn Gardaí, 3,609 Garda Staff and 323 Garda Reserves.

A further 343 Garda recruits, a sum total of 2 intakes, are currently undergoing the training programme at the Garda College.

The next intake of Garda recruits entered the Garda College on Monday the 23rd of September 2024.

The 108 newly attested Gardaí bring to 818 the number of Probationer Gardaí attested since recruitment recommenced in 2022 following Covid-19 restrictions paused recruitment in 2020.

These 110 newly sworn members means there are 74 from the Dublin Region which is where most of the members hail from.

 There are 16 from the Eastern Region, 10 from the Southern Region and just 8 new members from the North Western Region. 

These newly attested 108 members of An Garda Síochána were recruited as part of the 2022/ 2023 recruitment campaigns. 

The new Gardaí have put in a massive effort to achieve their goals. 

Since they commenced their Garda training they  have undertaken a blend of on-line learning, on-site learning in the Garda College, and experiential learning in training Garda stations. 

During their training these new Probationer Gardaí were involved in community based policing, observed and assisted in serious crime investigations,.

They also marched during St Patricks Day events, took part in the 2024 Garda recruitment campaign and assisted at community events amongst other events.

Intake 235 are the first Trainee Intake to undergo CBD1 driving assessments while in the Garda College.

These 108 newly sworn Gardaí will now take on operational responsibilities. 

Speaking at the attestation, Commissioner Drew Harris welcoming the new Garda probationers, saying: “Today is an important and exciting day for you, and your families. 

“It follows many months of hard work, sacrifice and commitment. It is a day to be proud and to take stock of all that you have achieved to date. 

“It is a day to celebrate with families and loved ones as you embark upon this new career path.”

Commissioner Harris reminded the new Garda probationers of their roles: 

“You have sworn an oath to serve the people of Ireland. To keep them safe. To put them first. You must do so by acting ethically. Professionally. And with integrity to protect the human rights of everyone you come into contact with.”

 Wishing the new Garda probationers well, Garda Commissioner Harris also said they must lead the way now:  “For the public you will perform an important service. 

“You will protect the vulnerable. You will be a light in the dark. You will make a difference in their lives. 

“This is why being a Garda is a privilege and an honour. This is why it is a job worth doing,” he concluded.