WATCH: Celebrations as newest garda members are formally attested

FRIENDS and family joined the new 87 Garda recruits who were attested as sworn members of An Garda Síochána during a ceremony this Friday.

The ceremony took place in the Garda College in Templemore where the new recruits were joined by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Deputy Garda Commissioner Anne Marie McMahon.

Of the 87 (77% male, 23% female) newly sworn members of An Garda Síochána will bring the total number of sworn Gardaí to 13,949.

Although the minister mentioned that entering into such a career is ‘daunting’ there was a sense of excitement amongst the new recruits.

Twenty-two year old Meath local Isabel Salerno was attested today and will be stationed in Raheny Garda Station in Dublin said: “I joined the Guards as I want put that public trust back amoungst  people in the Guards as I feel it is dwindling and I think a lot of people can think we are out to do harm and we are not we are out to do good.”

Speaking on why she chose to join the Guards Isabel said; “I tried the whole college thing and it wasn't really for me and I always knew I wanted to be a Guard so I decided to give it a go and I am delighted.”

The Minister for Justice explained it is important the government support An Garda Síochána as we move into a more digital world saying; ‘We cannot have analog Gardaí in a digital world.”

Minister McEntee said there are a number of measures both in place and in the works to support the future of the Gardaí saying: “I want to stress that I will not only support Gardaí but I will always support Garda families. As part of that support it is my first and top priority to make sure An Garda Síochána has the strength and support to operate successfully.”

Deputy Commissioner McMahon added: "You are here today having gone through a rigorous training programme because of your drive to keep people safe. Your commitment to uphold law and order. Your dedication to public service. You are here today because you want to make a difference. This is the job of a Garda. And it’s a job worth doing.”