Local Garda recruits urge others to join the force

With the deadline looming for the latest Garda recruitment campaign, seven eager young trainees currently undertaking part of their training in Mayo have shared their journeys into An Garda Síochána.

The seven trainees spoke to the Western People about their backgrounds and their motivation for entering a career in policing. What came up time and time again was the desire for a job with variety.

Ryan McLoughlin from Ballindine and Connell Dempsey from Knockmore both worked in the financial field before this. Ryan studied to be an accountant and Connell worked in a bank but both sought a bit more excitement in their working lives.

“I worked as an accountant for two years but I didn’t like the job. I wanted to do something where I’d be out working with people a lot more instead of within in an office,” said Ryan. “This has been good going, the training is going by fast because there is a good variety and it’s enjoyable.” 

“I always had an interest in the Gardaí but I went to college and then worked in the bank but didn’t enjoy it,” said Connell. “It was the same thing, day in, day out, so when the recruitment opened, I applied straight away.” 

Jade Ruane from Easkey in Co Sligo always had a career with An Garda Síochána in the back of her mind. She has a great passion for animals but has found that she chose right to join the Gardaí.

“I was interested in veterinary medicine, particularly big animals. I grew up around horses and I take part in showjumping now and again but I decided to apply when this opportunity came up,” she said.

“I’d be the type of person who’d get bored of the same thing and with this I have found no day is the same. The stability of the job appeals to me too.” 

Conor Bolster from Belcarra had an interest in joining the Gardaí from a very young age.

“I’ve been loving it so far, it has lived up to what I thought it would be. I’ve been enjoying the placement especially, you’re out in the real world and seeing how the day to day works,” he said.

“I was interested from when I was younger. My dad was a Garda Reserve too, so there is a small family link there.” 

Caitlin O’Malley from Louisburgh had intended to get her law degree and join the force from there, but when the chance arose to train directly, she took it.

“I was enjoying law but I had the intention of joining the Gardaí anyways. I applied just before I went back to college and decided to do this instead,” she said.

“The first week in college was very tough, it was very new and I didn’t know anyone but you get used to it and get to know everyone.” 

The first week in Templemore was also a struggle for Gary Ruddy from Belmullet but he is encouraging prospective applicants to give it a fair chance.

“The first week was a bit daunting for me but once you get settled, you get into a good routine and you start to love it,” he said.

“For anyone thinking of it who is unsure, I’d say to just go for it. In this job, you do face tough situations and scenarios but it is rewarding work.” 

Persistence was key for Stephen Duffy from Enniscrone in Co Sligo, who was accepted at the third time of applying.

“I was delighted I got it because I like the variety and making a positive difference in the community. It is a job worth doing as they say,” he said.

“I spent three years in Cork studying Criminology before this. I would love to work in Financial Fraud Prevention in the future, it is an interesting area.” 

The initial training programme lasts 36 weeks in Templemore, where recruits are introduced to law, operational procedures, conflict management, and physical training.

Out of this 36 weeks, 24 are based in Templemore and 12 are completed at allocated Garda training stations. Once they have attested, probationer gardaí spend a further 70 weeks in training stations.

Current recruitment applications are being managed by publicjobs.ie on behalf of An Garda Síochána and can be submitted via www.publicjobs.ie. The competition remains open until Wednesday, June 3rd, at 3pm.