A TOTAL of 263 gardaí, 112 women and 151 men, graduated yesterday at the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary and will now be posted to Garda stations around the State.
Yesterday’s passing out ceremony will be followed by another in October. From then on, the college will be empty because no new recruits have been taken in for almost two years as a result of the Garda recruitment moratorium.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said plans were already in place to begin recruitment again. However, he said the timing of the new recruitment drive and the numbers to be hired had not yet been determined.
While the country was in a challenging economic position, the Minister said the Government was committed to maintaining Garda numbers as high as possible.
Mr Ahern also replied to media questioning about the possibility of a Garda investigation into the expenses claims of Senator Ivor Callely (FF). He said he had no role because the matter was one “entirely for the gardaí”.
When asked if he believed there was a prima facie case against Mr Callely that warranted investigation, Mr Ahern stressed it was not the duty of any minister for justice to direct the Garda to investigate and prosecute any individual.
In reply to further questions about the decision not to continue funding the Justice For the Forgotten group, which campaigns for victims of the Troubles and their families,
Mr Ahern said: “While it’s a difficult decision, these things have to come to an end at some time. We’re in difficult circumstances with the resources we have.”
At yesterday’s ceremony, the Commissioner’s Medal – for the student garda who achieves the highest academic scores during training – was awarded to Garda Majella O’Sullivan from Clonmel, Co Tipperary.
The Gary Sheehan Memorial Medal, awarded for the best all-round student, went to Garda Maureen Finnerty from Kiltormer, Co Galway.
The Templemore Town Council Medal for outstanding achievement in the area of social sciences, has been won by Garda Cathal Murphy from Bishopstown, Co Cork.