Justice minister doubles-down on 5,000 more gardaí target

Figures suggest that around 750 gardaí will be recruited this year.

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan has doubled-down on his belief that 5,000 gardaí can be recruited over the five years of the Government’s term.

It comes as figures suggest that around 750 will be recruited this year, while a Department of Justice report states that the Garda college is currently operating “at near full capacity” with 800 to 900 trainees per year.