Five new gardaí from Westmeath graduate
Five people from Westmeath became sworn members of An Garda Síochána, among a group of 154 who graduated at a ceremony at the Garda Training College on Friday August 22.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris were in attendance, as well as family members of the new gardaí.
Five of the new gardaí are from Westmeath, and the county is also to receive an intake of two new gardaí. Garda Troy Bradley, Garda Kevin English, Garda Jamie Meares, Garda Jason Murphy and Garda Marie Devine are from the county.
Garda Bradley and Garda Meares are to be stationed at Henry Street, Garda English will be stationed at Middleton Garda Station, Garda Murphy is to be stationed in Limerick, and Garda Devine will be stationed in Carlow.
Westmeath is also to receive two new gardaí from the graduating class, and Garda Dermot Kiernan from Longford and Garda Jonathan Gamble from Donegal will be stationed at Mullingar Garda Station.
The graduating class of 154 was made up of 122 men and 32 women; 26 were born outside the state – in Australia, Belarus, Brazil, England, Germany, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and United States. Four of the probationer gardaí were former Reserve gardaí.
These newly attested 154 members of An Garda Síochána were recruited as part of the 2023 and 2024 campaigns. They commenced their training in December 2024 and have undertaken a blend of online learning, on-site learning in the Garda College, and experiential learning in training garda stations.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Commissioner Drew Harris welcomed the new garda probationers: “Today is indeed a day to celebrate, but it is also a day for reflection. It is a time to reflect on what it has taken to get to this juncture in your lives. To decide how you will make the most of this important opportunity. To consider what kind of garda you are going to be.
“Do make the most of the opportunities presented to you. I also urge you to consider that each engagement and each interaction be it with an individual, group or community, can and does, have a lasting impact. These sometimes brief encounters stay with people. Whether it is the time you took to chat with an older person; or to sit and comfort someone at a time of sorrow, or in returning as stolen item to a victim of crime.
“These are the moments people remember always. These are moments when we can shine for those in the dark. These are also moments that will stay with you as you go through your careers as Gardaí.”
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke has welcomed the allocation of two new gardaí to Westmeath. “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 community. 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.
“I’m thankful to our new gardaí for making a commitment to public service. I wish them the best as they begin their careers with An Garda Síochána in Westmeath.”