76 Trainees Rejected from Garda College After Initial Admission

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.

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 BreakingNews.ie 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. 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 BreakingNews.ie 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.'