One new Garda recruit for Offaly as number in force hits record high

More than 200 trainees were sworn in as official members of An Garda Siochana earlier today (Friday), with just one of the latest batch of recruits set to be stationed in Offaly.

Today's graduation ceremony in Templemore saw 207 new officers - 136 men and 71 women - being sworn in.

The new Gardaí were assigned to Garda divisions across the country - but the Midlands was largely overlooked in this process.

None of the new officers will be stationed in Westmeath, Roscommon or Longford. Garda Daryl O'Donnell, who is to be stationed in Tullamore, is the sole addition to the force in Offaly.

At the previous Garda graduation ceremony, in July, six of the new recruits were dispatched to Tullamore.

The event today brought the number of sworn Garda members to 14,825 which, the force said, is the "highest historical number of sworn members of An Garda Síochána in the history of the State".

A further 398 Garda recruits are currently in training in the Garda college, with the next intake due to enter the college on November 2.

Speaking at the ceremony in Templemore, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said the fact that the number of sworn officers is approaching 15,000 represents "an important milestone as we continue to strengthen our capacity to serve communities".

"This year, we expect to see close to 1,000 new Gardaí passing through the Garda college, reflecting the continued progress being made in recruitment and training," Commissioner Kelly said.

"There remains strong interest in a career in policing and we are working to build on that momentum in the years ahead."