More gardaí for Mullingar, Minister Burke confirms

Westmeath has been allocated two new gardaí this year, both of whom will be stationed in Mullingar, according to Enterprise Minister Peter Burke.

Their arrival comes as part of the national attestation of 201 recruits, the largest allocation of probationer gardaí to regions outside Dublin in the last year.

Minister Burke said the numbers show there is a strong interest to join and serve in An Garda Síochána. “I am delighted to see more gardaí for Westmeath,” he said. “A visible garda presence is central to the government’s aim to build safe and secure communities.

“More gardaí is one of the most effective measures we have for preventing crime and making people feel safer in their communities.

“Across the country, there has been the attestation of 154 new gardaí, with 32 women and 122 men.

“I am delighted that this will be the largest allocation of probationer gardaí to regions outside of Dublin in the past year.

“It’s also great to see a new class of 201 garda recruits will enter the Garda College next week to begin their training.

“We are working hard to ensure the gardaí continue to have the resources and support they need to protect our communities.

“I’m thankful to our new gardaí for making a commitment to public service and to keeping people in our communities safe. I wish them the very best as they begin their careers with An Garda Síochána in Westmeath,” concluded Minister Burke.