Garda recruitment has fallen even further behind Government's target

Newly graduated gardaí including Erin Donald from Derry, centre, celebrating at the Garda College graduation ceremony at McCan Barracks in Templemore, Co Tipperary on December 12. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

The latest garda figures show that 631 recruits entered Templemore College last year — significantly short of the 800-1,000 target set by the Government.

It marks a drop from the number recruited the previous year, when 746 recruits were taken on, which was short of the minimum target of 800.