Latest news with #Templemore
BreakingNews.ie
07-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
GRA criticises 'take in first, ask questions later' approach to Garda trainee vetting
The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has criticised the 'take in first, and ask questions later' approach to admitting trainees at the Garda College. It comes after an Freedom of Information request, released to , revealed 76 trainees were rejected after first being admitted to the Garda College in the past year. Advertisement This occurred after a change to the rules after backlogs, which allowed applicants to be admitted to the Garda College in Templemore while their vetting was still ongoing. The change was made as some applicants had been left waiting months, or even years, to hear back regarding their vetting. The 76 trainees were "deemed unsuccessful" for "Vetting, Medical, Physical Competence Test and Drug test". In response to the story, GRA president Mark O'Meara told : "This is another example of a botched, failed and embarrassing answer to a serious problem with Garda recruitment and retention. Advertisement 'It was unsustainable to continue with the huge delays and backlogs in garda vetting of potential recruits which led to many applicants simply running out of patience and finding another career path. 'But the answer was to expedite the vetting process to help the recruitment process, rather than a 'take in first, and ask questions later' approach." Mr O'Meara added: "The GRA have previously raised concerns about any changes to the normal vetting process and this vindicates our position. 'This will disappoint and even enrage many serving members as it once again shows a clear lack of joined up thinking when tackling the recruitment and retention crisis.'
BreakingNews.ie
06-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
76 trainees rejected after first being admitted to Garda College
Seventy-six trainees were rejected after first being admitted to the Garda College in the past year. It comes following a change to the rules after backlogs, which allowed applicants to be admitted to the Garda College in Templemore while their vetting was still ongoing. Advertisement The change was made as some applicants had been left waiting months, or even years, to hear back regarding their vetting. The 76 trainees were "deemed unsuccessful" for "Vetting, Medical, Physical Competence Test and Drug test". Following a Freedom of Information request, a Garda statement issued to read: "Upon receipt, your request was forwarded to the Appointments section of An Garda Síochána who have advised that 76 Garda Trainee applicants were deemed unsuccessful in the past year for the following reasons Vetting, Medical, Physical Competence Test and Drug test." The system was changed in response to efforts to boost Garda numbers, which saw 2024 applicants admitted while their vetting is still ongoing. Advertisement Candidates from the 2022 and 2023 competitions who were left waiting months, and in some cases years, to find out if they were admitted have previously spoken to about their experience. One candidate who withdrew from the process said they feel Garda management is "making a total mockery of all candidates still waiting from 2022 and 2023". The Government has committed to recruiting 5,000 new gardaí over the next five years. Speaking after new members of An Garda Síochána were sworn in in January, Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said: "My focus is on ensuring Ireland is a safer place for everyone. Making sure that An Garda Síochána is at full strength is a core part of that. This Government has made a commitment, and we will recruit at least 5,000 new Gardaí over the next five years."
BreakingNews.ie
30-06-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Garda trainees suspended after allegedly handcuffing fellow trainee
Five trainees at the Garda College have been suspended after an incident in which they allegedly handcuffed and then threw the trainee into a shower. The incident occurred at the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary on Thursday and an internal investigation has been launched. Advertisement Two sources close to the Garda College told that the victim of the incident is considering dropping out. The incident was described as a "prank" by those involved, but the victim is adamant this was not the case. In response to a query about the alleged incident, a Garda spokesperson said: "An Garda Síochána does not comment on ongoing internal investigations." Numbers at the Garda College have been boosted as part of the Government's attempt to strengthen the force. Speaking after the latest intake, Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said: "This Government is fully committed to strengthening An Garda Síochána by 5,000 members over the next five years. "We have already taken a number of significant measures to boost recruitment and we will continue to explore all options. More and more Gardaí are coming through this College and onto our streets, and this shows these measures are working. "I have made increasing recruitment to An Garda Síochána a priority issue. More Gardaí in our cities, villages, and towns is fundamental to achieving our goal of ensuring people are safe and feel safe.'
BreakingNews.ie
06-06-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Total of 120 new garda recruits sworn in at ceremony in Templemore
Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan welcomed the attestation of 120 new members of An Garda Síochána at a ceremony in the Garda College in Templemore on Friday. 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. Advertisement Speaking at the Garda College, Minister O'Callaghan said: 'My focus is on ensuring Ireland is a safer place for everyone. Making sure that An Garda Siochana is at full-strength is a core part of that. This Government has made a commitment, and we will recruit at least 5,000 new Gardaí over the next five years. "I am pleased that a further 170 recruits will enter the Garda College this coming Monday 9th June." Ireland Sinn Féin calls for vacant council houses to be ma... Read More Of the 120 attesting on Friday, 89 are men and 31 are women. Minister O'Callaghan said: 'I want to congratulate our new Garda members as they attest from the Garda College and join their new stations across the country. 74 of the new Members will be deployed across the Dublin Metropolitan Region. '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. 'That strong relationship between our gardaí and the community is not the norm in many countries and it is something we must never take for granted. I know that each one of these gardaí will continue in this great tradition."
