Major boost for crime prevention with assignment of 20 new gardai for Limerick

A TOTAL of 20 new Gardaí for Limerick were among the 154 new Gardaí attested at a ceremony in the Garda College in Templemore today.

The new Garda members will now be assigned by the Commissioner to Garda Divisions throughout the country where they will begin their careers in An Garda Síochána, with 20 new Gardai set to be assigned to Limerick.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and TD for Limerick County Niall Collins has welcomed the news.

Minister Collins said: "I want to congratulate our new Garda members as they attest from the Garda College today in Templemore and join their new stations."

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“20 of the 154 new Gardai will be deployed to stations in Limerick, as part of the largest allocation of probationer Gardaí to Regions outside of Dublin in the past year, which is very welcome news, as is the news that 201 Garda recruits will enter the Garda College for training next week."

“For each new Garda attesting today, this is a milestone that marks the beginning of a fulfilling career dedicated to protecting the community and to public service."

“The government is committed to building stronger, safer communities, and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that.”

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said: “We are fortunate in this country that every community wants to see more Gardaí visible in their area. It is one of the most effective measures we have for preventing crime and making people feel safer."

“Attitudes and approaches to policing must continue to adapt to the world we live in. However, what it means to be a Garda remains the same. Our new Gardaí have made a commitment to public service and to keeping people in their communities safe. I want to thank them for making that commitment and wish them the very best as they begin their careers with An Garda Síochána.”

Of the 154 gardai attesting today, 122 are men and 32 are women.

The new probationer Gardaí will now begin their careers in An Garda Síochána and will be assigned to Garda Divisions across the country by the Garda Commissioner.

This will be the largest allocation of probationer Gardaí to Regions outside of Dublin in the past year, with the majority being assigned to communities in the South and Northwest. 45 of the new Gardaí will be deployed in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, with 66 going to the Southern Region, including 20 Probationer Gardaí each for stations in Limerick city and Cork city respectively.

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan also said: “I am also extremely pleased that a new class of 201 Garda recruits will enter the Garda College next week to begin their training.”

“An increased and visible Garda presence is central to the government's aim to build safe and secure communities. The high number of applications for recent Garda recruitment campaigns is evidence of the strong interest that there is to join and serve in An Garda Síochána."

“Ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs is a key priority for me. I look forward to working with the new Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly to further strengthen An Garda Síochána so that it is well placed to deal with the challenges ahead, as per our commitment in the Programme for Government."

"I also want to take this opportunity today on his last attestation before he retires on September 1st, to once again thank outgoing Garda Commissioner Drew Harris for his hard work, commitment and dedication over the past seven years. He has implemented some of the widest ranging reforms of the organisation in its history and leaves a legacy of tangible improvements."