A total of 181 new gardaí completed their passing-out ceremony, on Friday last, at the Garda College in Templemore.

The new Gardaí are the eleventh group to have been taken into the Garda College since a moratorium on recruitment was lifted three years ago.

This year will be the first year that garda numbers will surpass those that were in place since a moratorium on recruiting was introduced in 2010, which saw the force drop to 12,760.

In his speech to the new members of the force, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said: “An Garda Síochána will come through this period of controversy as a stronger, more cohesive, police service better equipped organisationally to meet the many complex challenges it faces day in and day out.

“There is a great energy here today and I know that each of you individually is going to make a huge contribution to the public good and also by embracing the change agenda in this great organisation.”

Joined by their families and friends from near and far to celebrate the occasion, the new recruits will no go forth in providing a vitally important service in the community – and we wish them all the best in their new careers.

.@CharlieFlanagan tells new recruits that almost a century after its foundation AGS is on the cusp of major change. pic.twitter.com/BWNEJ5qVtP

— Department of Justice 🇮🇪 (@DeptJusticeIRL) September 22, 2017

.@CharlieFlanagan welcomes 181 new Garda recruits to the Service urging them to show the courage to protect & serve and to embrace change. pic.twitter.com/eHxNdJQKyF

— Department of Justice 🇮🇪 (@DeptJusticeIRL) September 22, 2017