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Incoming gardaí bring force’s strength to 14,352

Eight of 53 new gardaí who were attested on Friday (8 July) were born outside the State, according to an Garda Síochána (AGS).

The new intake – 40 men and 13 women – bring the total strength of the force to 14,352. Of the total, just over 70% are male, while almost 30% are female.

AGS said that 26 more recruits were currently in training. New trainees from this year’s recruitment campaign are due to start training by end of September this year.

Training began in November

The 53 newest members of the force began their training in November 2021, having originally applied to become members of AGS in the 2018 recruitment campaign.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony in the Garda College in Templemore Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said: “Each one of our new gardaí passing out today have made the choice to pursue a career that will make such a considerable difference to people’s lives.”