Number of women serving in An Garda Síochána above European average

The head of the Garda College says the force has made significant progress since women were allowed to join the ranks.

Chief Superintendent Anne Marie McMahon was speaking as a major conference of European police chiefs is taking place at the College in Templemore.

The three-day seminar is focusing on gender, diversity and police leadership within the force, as well as the private sector.

According to the latest official figures, Ireland is leading the way in terms of the number of female police officers employed.

Figures show that there are 3,309 female members of the force, which is 26% of the service.

In 2012, the average percentage of female members in police services in Europe was 19.48%.

Chief Superintendent McMahon told Tipp FM that women are now represented right across the force.

"The journey that we've come since women joined the garda organisation in 1959, we really have progressed quite considerably in terms of we have representatives at pretty much every rank really," she said.

"We're doing quite well - so as the saying goes, 'A lot done, and more to do'.

"There's every reason why we should celebrate really."