31 new Gardaí to be allocated to Eastern region

31 Gardai were attested as sworn members of An Garda Síochána in the Eastern region today.

169 Gardaí were sworn in throughout the country.

The latest group of probationer Garda includes 119 men and 50 women. 14 of the new Gardaí were born outside the state in countries such as Estonia, New Zealand, England, Serbia, Brazil, Romania, Latvia, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Spain, Northern Ireland.

The majority, 96, were assigned to Dublin with 31 assigned to the Eastern region of the county. The North West is allocated 24 of the new Gardaí and the Southern Region of Ireland has been allocated 18 of the new Garda .

There are now 14,220 Sworn Gardaí supported by 3,699 Garda Staff and 319 Garda Reserves. This number of Sworn Gardaí is less than the total number of Garda five years ago (14,307), due to difficulties recruiting and retaining Garda and the temporary closure of the College during the Pandemic. The highest ever force number is 14,750 Gardaí.277 Garda recruits made up of two separate groups are currently undergoing the training programme at the Garda College and a further group are due to start their training on Monday December 16th.

The new Gardaí commenced their Garda training in April 2024 and have undertaken a blend of on-line learning, on-site learning in the Garda College, and experiential learning in training Garda stations.

Speaking at today’s attestation, Commissioner Drew Harris welcoming the new Garda probationers said;

"I want to thank each and every one of you for choosing a career in An Garda Síochána.

For choosing to serve the people of Ireland.

To put them first.

To put them at the heart of your professional career.

Because that is what Gardaí do. "

Garda Commissioner Harris reminded the new probationers of the words of the first Garda Commissioner:

"An Garda Síochána will succeed not by force of arms or numbers, but on their moral authority as servants of the people”.

That ethos stands as firm today as when those words were first uttered.

It is our responsibility as serving Gardaí – including you – to maintain this high level of service and ensure this great legacy continues.”

Garda Commissioner finished by acknowledging the job of a member of An Garda Síochána

"It is a heavy burden, but you do not carry it alone.

You are supported.

You are part of a team.

You are part of a community.

And I know you can deliver, because this is the job of a Garda.

And it’s a job worth doing.”

A further 277 Garda recruits (intakes 242, 243) are currently undergoing the training programme at the Garda College.

The next intake of Garda recruits (intake 244) is scheduled to enter the Garda College on Monday 16th December 2024.

Recruit classes are now entering the Garda College every 11 - 12 weeks.

Since the 1st Garda recruits, post-covid, entered the Garda College in December 2022, including Intake 244 due to commence next Monday 16th December 2024, nearly 1,500 Garda Trainees will have started training in the Garda College.