Two new Gardai from Offaly graduate in Templemore
Two men from Offaly 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.
Two men who listed Offaly as their home county graduated from the Garda Training College, and they were Nathan Stewart and Shane Molloy.
Mr Stewart is being stationed in Balbriggan, and Mr Molloy will be working out of Rathfarnham.
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."