Donegal's newest gardaí attested as sworn members of the force

One-hundred-and-sixth-five Gardaí were attested as sworn members of An Garda Síochána on Friday morning.

In all, there are 12 new gardaí in the North Western Division, which is made up of Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim; 101 in the Dublin region, 39 in the Eastern Division, 14 in the Southern Division. The 166 allocations include one probationer returning from Family Friendly Leave.

The new Gardaí commenced their Garda training in July 2023, and have undertaken a blend of on-line learning, on-site learning in the Garda College, and experiential learning in training Garda stations.

During their training, these new Probationer Gardaí observed and assisted at Fatal Road Traffic Collisions, major crime investigations, drug seizures, on duty in Dublin during Serious Public Order Incident in November 2023 and helped citizens in need at their most vulnerable.

They included Donegal natives Gardaí are Geoff Mullen (Monaghan), Ruairí Gallachoir (Navan), Eibhlín Doherty (Letterkenny), Jennifer Forrestal (Navan), Darren McGilloway (Monaghan), Robbie Hegarty (Letterkenny), who are pictured above with Training Sergeant Paul Forrestal (Letterkenny) today to An Garda Síochána at the Garda College.

"An Garda Síochána is built upon the hard work, dedication and commitment given by its Gardaí and its staff,” Commissioner Drew Harris said.

“As one of the most trusted police services in the world, the vast majority of people believe An Garda Síochána delivers a good service. And most people have few concerns about crime in their local area. These significant achievements have been possible by the foundations laid by others who have passed through this college and stood where you are today. And from today you will join them and strengthen this fine organisation.”

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for choosing a career in An Garda Síochána.”

The 165 is made up of 110 males and 55 females; 17 Gardaí born outside the state – Hong Kong, USA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Albania, Spain, Uganda, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, one probationer was a former Reserve Garda.

It means there are now 14,091 Sworn Gardaí in the country, 3,494 Garda staff and 346 Garda Reserves. A further 277 Garda recruits, two intakes, are currently undergoing the training programme at the Garda College.