Irish no longer necessary to join Gardaí

The Government today announced changes in the recruitment procedures of trainee gardaí.

The Irish language will become an option rather than a compulsory requirement. Candidates wishing to enter the force must have a Leaving Certificate qualification or its equivalent in two languages. One of these two languages must be Irish or English.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell said the changes were being made to open recruitment to ethnic communities wishing to join the force.

Non-nationals wishing to join the Gardaí will have to be legally resident in Ireland for five years before joining, while EU nationals will now be eligible to join.