‘I think we owe it to society that we pay something back’

CORK secondary school teacher John Desmond yesterday became a fully fledged Garda Reserve member when he joined 100 other reservists who graduated at Templemore College.

The reserve force numbers 520 members with plans to increase the reserve to 1,400 in the near future.

Mr Desmond, 51, teaches physics and maths from Monday to Friday in Carrigtwohill. His new role means that every second weekend he will put in an extra eight-hour shift, mostly at night, in Fermoy Garda Station. During holiday time, he plans to work midweek as well.