21 new Gardaí have been assigned to the North Western Region, which includes Galway, out of the newly attested class.
A total of 194 Gardai and 17 Garda Reserves were attested as sworn members of An Garda Síochána on Friday.
Of those, the mix of male to female was 70%/30%, with 18 of our new Gardaí born outside of Ireland.
Speaking at the attestation, Commissioner Justin Kelly, welcoming the new Garda probationers, said, “Today is a proud day. A day to celebrate with your family and loved ones.”
“A day to take stock of all it has taken to get you to this point. Today marks the start of your new career in An Garda Síochána.”
Commissioner Kelly also spoke further on the responsibility Gardaí have when dealing with the public. “These encounters may be brief or fleeting, but these encounters stay with people. For many it will be the first time they have had cause to meet with a Garda.”
“You may meet them on a dark day in their lives and you may bring them some light.
It may be an interaction that occurs in silence, where you might sit with someone in a time of grief. Your presence matters and means something.”
These 194 newly sworn Gardaí will now take on operational responsibilities and will be allocated as follows:
- Dublin Region – 87
- Eastern Region – 39
- Southern Region – 47
- North Western Region – 21
The allocation of Probationer Gardaí is initially to Training Garda Stations and allows for consequential inter-divisional transfers of other members.
These newly attested 194 members of An Garda Síochána were recruited as part of the 2024 recruitment campaign.
The new Gardaí commenced their Garda training in March 2025 and have undertaken a blend of on-site learning in the Garda College, and experiential learning in training Garda stations.
The 194 newly attested Gardaí bring to over 1,600 the number of Probationer Gardaí attested since recruitment recommenced and the first recruits, post-COVID, entered the Garda College in December 2022.
The 17 Garda Reserves will now take on operational responsibilities and will be allocated as follows:
- Dublin Region – 8
- Eastern Region – 1
- Southern Region – 3
- North Western Region – 5
The last Garda Reserve attestation was held on the 27th November 2020. An Garda Síochána advertised a competition for Garda Reserves in 2024 and received over 1,800 applicants.
These newly attested 17 members of the Garda Reserve were recruited as part of this 2024 recruitment campaign. This class were the first Intake to complete a new Pilot Reserve Training course.
Welcoming the Garda Reserves, Commissioner Kelly said, “A little earlier this morning, we conducted the first attestation ceremony of Garda Reserves in five years.”
This saw 17 new Garda Reserves join An Garda Síochána. This cohort has been drawn from all corners of Ireland, span a wide demographic from those in their 20s to those in their 50s and represent all walks of life.”
“They will go on to serve their communities in a voluntary way and will support our operational Gardaí in the delivery of their duties.”
