A total of 143 new Gardaí are set join Garda stations throughout the country, having completed their passing-out ceremony on Monday, at the Garda College in Templemore.

The passing-out ceremony was attended by Garda Commissioner Noirín Ó Sullivan and the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD.

The new Gardaí are the ninth group to have been taken into the Garda College since training resumed following the public service recruitment embargo.

Of those passing out, 45 new Gardaí were female and 98 male, and they include 12 non-Irish nationals who are from England, Poland, The Netherlands and Scotland. The percentage of females (31pc) is higher than in previous groups, when it has been roughly 20pc.

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Fitzgerald said it is “a proud day for this country to have 143 men and women answering the call to public service to support the mission of An Garda Síochána to protect and serve.”

“As members of An Garda Síochána you will face many challenges in the course of your day-to-day work. Nobody should underestimate the responsibility you have accepted in undertaking to protect and serve our communities. You will require a wide range of attributes and skills to fulfil your duty including empathy and compassion when dealing with victims of crime and their families at times of great distress, and courage and conviction to face down the many dangerous situations you will encounter”, Minister Fitzgerald added

Concluding, the Minister said, “I hope that each and every one of you contribute in your own unique way to helping An Garda Síochána evolve and grow in a way that can bring great pride to you as individuals, to the organisation and to the country that you have vowed to serve. I know the road ahead will be challenging but I am also confident that it will be rewarding.”