Minister welcomes 199 new members to An Garda

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, has welcomed the addition of 199 new members to An Garda Síochána on Friday, following their attestation as members at a ceremony in the Garda College, Templemore.  The ceremony was attended by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. 

 

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister said: “You are entering An Garda Síochána at a pivotal time in the history of the organisation. As the first class to attest since the publication of the Commission on the Future of Policing Report, you are in a very special position. You are the new generation, entering the service at a time of renewed focus. This is both a challenge and a privilege.  To answer this call to vocation – to protect and to serve – is a commendable decision, and I thank each of you for answering that call.”

 

This is the fourth attestation to have taken place in 2018 and brings the number of new recruits assigned to mainstream policing duties around the country this year to approximately 800. It is expected that Garda numbers will increase to approximately 14,000 by the end of 2018 and real progress is being made to delivering on the Government commitment to increase the strength of An Garda Síochána to 15,000 members by 2021.