Garda recruitment embargo to end

An Garda Síochána can begin recruiting from next year after Justice Minister Alan Shatter announced the lifting of the embargo.

The move follows talks between Mr Shatter and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Brendan Howlin

Mr Shatter made the announcement at Templemore Garda College, where 100 members of the Garda Reserve graduated, bringing the reserve to 1,163. Garda numbers now stand at just over 13,200.

The justice minister said he wanted to ensure garda numbers did not go below 13,000, the figure originally agreed with the troika.

Mr Shatter said he expected a large number of applicants for the news posts, the number of which he would not specify.

“I hope we would see new recruits coming into Templemore College in 2014,” he said.

“We have 27,000 individuals who have indicated their interest in joining the gardaí if a new recruitment campaign starts.”

He said there is a commitment by the Government to ensure the Garda force has the necessary numbers.

“We are now, if I could put it this way, at the starting gate for the recruitment of new members, which is a very welcome development,” he said.

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan welcomed the decision, saying he was looking forward to welcoming the newest members into Templemore College as soon possible.

Asked about the Murphy report criticism of garda handling of clerical abuse allegations in the 1970s, Mr Callinan said it was a matter of regret that the victims did not get the type of attention and action they deserved from An Garda Síochána.

“Nonetheless, we have moved on considerably,” said Mr Callinan. “We have since 2010 a very comprehensive policy in place now focusing particularly on victims in this area. The practice and procedure now is to deal with them comprehensively.”

Mr Callinan said that a file went to the DPP following the publication of the Murphy report and no further criminal proceedings would be taken.