Upper age limit for garda recruits 'must be raised'

The Minister for Justice was today urged to raise the upper age limit for recruitment to the Gardaí.

Opposition politician John Deasy said the Garda Síochána force was being deprived of valuable skills due to a rule stopping anybody over the age of 26 being recruited.

He compared this to significantly higher age limits in other European countries such as the UK, where the age limit was 52.

The Fine Gael justice spokesman said: “When you look at other European countries, some of which have no age limit, I believe there is an unnecessary barrier to those over 26 who want to make a career in law enforcement.

“The Garda Síochána is being deprived of valuable skills and experience that could be put to good use within the ranks of the force.”

He said the Justice Department had supplied information on the age limits for recruitment in other countries in response to a parliamentary question.

In Luxembourg the upper limit was 45, followed by Austria (40) and Germany (31). In Finland there was no age limit for recruitment, Mr Deasy said.

Today’s demand comes after months of pressure on justice minister Michael McDowell to boost the number of officers in the force.

Mr Deasy added: “The retirement age within the Garda Síochána has reached all-time high levels, and we are seeing more and more middle-aged experienced gardai leaving the force.

“We need to compensate for the loss of this experience and maturity.

“I am calling on Michael McDowell to raise the age limit for recruitment immediately.”