A total of 102 new gardaí have been sworn in as new members of the force at the nation’s Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary.

This will bring the strength of An Garda Síochána to 14,396 sworn gardaí, 401 Garda reserves, 3,345 Garda staff, and 81 recruited gardaí currently in training.

38 of the new gardaí are women, while 16 were born outside the State in countries including England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Lithuania, Croatia, Poland, Angola, Guatemala, Saudi Arabia, and New Zealand.

The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee attended the passing-out ceremony at the Garda College.

Minister McEntee said, “I am delighted to be able to meet the newest members of An Garda Síochána in person today. I know the commitment the new recruits have made in joining An Garda Síochána is not one that is taken lightly and it demonstrates a deep dedication to public service that few can truly appreciate.”

“It is particularly special that these new members are joining in the year of the Garda centenary. These members will play an important role in shaping the second hundred years of the organisation. I wish them each the very best in their vital career keeping all of us safe.”

This group is the 27th intake to commence training under the new BA in Applied Policing Programme. 

The new recruits commenced online training in September 2021 for three weeks followed by one week of intensive training in the Garda College in October 2021.