Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has warned that political extremism and related attacks are on the rise in Ireland, speaking at the graduation ceremony of 194 new Gardaí and 17 Reserve Guards at the Garda College in Templemore.
While acknowledging that the number of people involved in political extremism remains small, the Commissioner cautioned that they pose a risk of engaging in dangerous activities. He assured that such individuals are being closely monitored by specialist Garda units working alongside international law enforcement partners.
Commissioner Kelly emphasized the distinction between violence, threats and online hate speech, noting that people often make statements they neither mean nor have the capacity to carry out.
Taoiseach Warns of Organized Threat
Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed deep concern about the evolution of violent political extremism from individual actions to organized approaches that are undermining the country. He highlighted a disturbing increase in online hostility and threats directed at public figures.
“It is very worrying and has the potential to have a devastating impact on public discourse. All of this is a threat to society,” Martin explained.
Record-Breaking Graduate Among New Recruits
Among the new Garda recruits is 51-year-old Jeremiah Bourke, who has become the oldest person in Garda history to graduate from training. Bourke, one of 194 graduates from the Templemore Garda College in Tipperary, has fulfilled a lifelong ambition to join the force.
The retail businessman had wanted to become a Garda in his youth but never got the opportunity. When the recruitment age limit was raised from 35 to 50 at the beginning of last year, he immediately reapplied. Despite acknowledging the challenges of training alongside younger recruits, Bourke received strong support from his wife, two children and fellow trainees.
He is now encouraging others his age to consider joining An Garda Síochána, insisting that dedication matters more than age.
Former Journalists Join the Force
Two women from media backgrounds have traded journalism for policing. Amy Ní Riada, a former RTÉ journalist from Castleisland, Kerry, said she was inspired to join the Gardaí by the Dublin riots in November 2023. She sought the challenge of working in a diverse, high-pressure environment.
Ní Riada, who previously reported on climate change in East Africa, social issues and violence against women, is now based in Midleton, Cork. She said she joined An Garda Síochána to work directly with society’s most vulnerable people.
Christina Courtney also left media work to become a Garda, citing the insight she gained into police work while working on RTÉ’s Crimecall program as her inspiration.
Protecting Communities
Adam O’Rourke from Walkinstown, Dublin, who previously served with the Defence Forces in Lebanon, said he joined An Garda Síochána as a career where he could help and protect people. Now based in Blackrock, Dublin, he expressed delight at being able to make a difference in the community.
Largest Intake Since 2019
The 194 new Gardaí and 17 Garda Reserves represent the largest graduation class since 2019. Of the 194 new probationary Gardaí, 137 are men and 57 are women.
The Garda Commissioner will assign the new officers to various divisions nationwide. Of the total, 87 will be deployed to the Dublin Metropolitan Region, 47 to the Southern Region, 39 to the Eastern Region and 21 to the North Western Region.
The graduation comes at a critical time as An Garda Síochána faces increased demands related to monitoring political extremism, managing public order and addressing rising crime concerns across the country.