Nine new Gardai from Westmeath and Roscommon graduate in Templemore
Four Westmeath people and five from Roscommon were among the 157 recruits who graduated from the Garda Training College in Templemore last week.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris were in attendance to see the country's newest Gardai become sworn members of the force on Friday, June 28.
Four men who listed Westmeath as their home county graduated from the Garda Training College, and they were: Robert Teape, Shane Fitzsimons, Graham Flood, and Leon Gilgan.
Mr Teape is being stationed in Bridewell, Mr Fitzsimons is being stationed in Ronanstown, Mr Flood is to work out of Blanchardstown station, and Mr Gilgan is being stationed in Lucan.
Roscommon natives Michael Rooney, Shannon Quigley, Declan O'Grady, Adrian Hynes and Ben Hoare also formally became members of the force at the graduation event.
Mr Rooney will be working in Naas, Ms Quigley and Mr Hynes are being stationed in Ashbourne, Mr O'Grady will be working in Longford, and Mr Hoare is to be based in Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin.
The 157 new members consisted of 102 men and 55 women, and they have brought the total number of sworn Gardai to 14,100.
Seventeen of the new recruits were born outside the State – in the USA, Pakistan, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Brazil and Romania.
A statement issued by the Garda Press Office stated that four of the new graduates were former reserve Gardai.
A further 294 Garda recruits - from two intakes – have been undergoing the training programme at the Garda College, while another new intake entered the Garda College on Monday, July 1.
The 157 newly attested Gardaí bring to 710 the number of Probationer Gardaí attested since recruitment to the force recommenced, after the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2022.
Almost two-thirds of the 157 newly-sworn members (102) are being stationed in the Dublin region.
Speaking at the graduation event in Templemore, Commissioner Drew Harris said: "As Gardaí you have a responsibility to serve the people of Ireland. To keep them safe. To put them first. To act ethically. Professionally. And with integrity to protect the human rights of everyone you come into contact with.
"As Gardaí it is your duty to maintain the highest standards. It is what the public expect and deserve, and what I expect too. Being a Garda is a privilege and an honour.
"Thank you for choosing a career in An Garda Síochána. I hope the weeks and months ahead bring plenty of great first experiences and that your journey with us in An Garda Síochána is a long and fulfilling one."