Martin Warde: Let's hope rise in Travellers applying to become gardaí translates to jobs

Getting rid of the 'us and them' mentality between Travellers and gardaí can be done, but it takes time and motivation

Having that personal connection with the next generation breaks down the invisible barriers between gardaí and the community that have existed for decades. File photo: Dan Linehan

Growing up in a small town in the West of Ireland, we rarely had anyone from our immediate friend group who spoke about their aspirations to be a garda. It was not something we ever envisioned we could do, and there was an element of feeling like a sell-out if one of us did. 

That is just the reality of growing up in a working-class housing estate, and doubly so as a member of the Irish Traveller community.