Speech by Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan TD Garda Attestation Ceremony Garda College, Templemore, August 22, 2025

Ladies and gentlemen,

Commissioner,

Lord Mayor, distinguished guests,

And most of all, new members of An Garda Síochána.

I want to say it's a great honour for me to be here this afternoon to celebrate with you on this great occasion when you've become new members of An Garda Síochána.

I've only been in this job about seven months myself, but I can tell you, one of my favourite occasions , and I've done three of them to date, has been Garda passing outs and attestations.

And they get better each time as the crowds get louder each time.

And I want to thank you for your attendance all here today.

It is one of the great privileges for me as Minister for Justice to join you in this milestone, marking the beginning of your career and commitment to public service as members of An Garda Síochána.

You are joining An Garda Síochána in an age of change.

You will probably hear that the job is not what it was ten, or twenty years ago – and that in some respects is true. Rapid changes in technology, in demographics and in the attitudes and approaches to policing have all reshaped the operational environment for police services internationally.

An Garda Síochána is no exception to this. The service has changed and is continuing to change so that it can continue to keep people safe.

However, what it means to be a Garda hasn’t changed.

At its core, it is public service of the highest order, and all of you have made the decision and the commitment to serve your communities, to help to make them better.

We are in a unique and envied position in Ireland regarding policing. We have an unarmed police service, which has remained unarmed for over 100 years. Many of our European and international colleagues would be delighted to have such a situation, where community policing is the bedrock of the relationship between the public and the police.

The greatest demand from the public is for more Gardaí on their streets, in their villages and in their towns. They want to see more Gardaí throughout their communities. This reflects the high standing in which you are held by the communities which you will serve.

A highly visible Garda presence is the most effective measure in preventing crime.

Over 150 of you attest this morning, and you will shortly join training stations across the country. This will be the largest allocation of probationer Gardaí to Regions outside of Dublin in the past year, with most of you being assigned to communities in the South and Northwest.

I'm also extremely pleased that next Sunday, 202 new garda recruits will start in Templemore.

So, numbers are heading in the correct and positive direction.

I am very proud that community policing remains at the heart of our policing model and the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities, with Gardaí at the heart of those communities as they have always been.

The impact of a Garda goes beyond the uniform. Many members are part of their communities through charity and volunteering work, sports coaching and mentoring of young people and other, non-policing activities. At times even your very presence will provide a sense of reassurance to your communities.

But we know that policing is a demanding profession; physically, emotionally and mentally.

There will be many times when you are faced with challenging circumstances. You will encounter those who disregard our laws and values and bring destruction, pain and suffering to our communities.

There will be difficult days on which you will have to be resilient.

However, each of you has gone through the many stages of selection and training and are now ready to take a solemn declaration to uphold the law and to treat all people equally.

I want you to remember the dedication and drive that has led you to being here today. When you face difficult days, remember that sense of accomplishment and pride that you rightly feel now, and the commitment to service that you have made. Remember why you wanted to become a a member of An Garda Síochána.

And remember you are never alone.

Those sitting next to you, standing next to you, your classmates and peers, your fellow Gardaí, your supervisors and managers, your family and friends. All of them will be there with you.

There is support within the organisation and it is never a weakness to ask for help if you need it.

And, of course, on the calmer days or when nearing the end of a long shift, always remember the impact and positive difference you make simply by being out in the community. The sense of security that you provide to our elderly and vulnerable.

The support you can offer to victims of crime. The example you can set for the young.

Policing is not just a job; as you know, it is a vocation.

When I look at the graduation classes I see not only our future Gardaí, but our future sergeants and inspectors, superintendents and chiefs superintendents as well.

Who knows - maybe even amongst your today, there’s a future Garda Commissioner.

That brings me to acknowledge a significant moment for the outgoing Commissioner, Drew Harris, today as he presides over his final attestation.

As you will be aware, Commissioner Harris is retiring on September 1st so you are the last recruits that he will have the privilege of attesting.

Commissioner Harris, on behalf of myself and the Government, I want to sincerely thank you for your hard work, commitment and dedication for the past seven years.

You have implemented some of the widest ranging reforms of the organisation in its history and leave a legacy of tangible improvements.

Sharing the Government’s commitment to tackling the scourge of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence you successfully developed the nationwide network of Divisional Protective Services Units in every Garda division.

These units ensure that when victims of crimes such as domestic abuse present to Gardaí, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.

You also led the fight against serious and organised crime - the results of which are evident. Organised crime related murders are at the lowest level in years with no gangland gun murders so far this year.

Burglaries and related offences have fallen almost 48% over the last 10 years, since the introduction of Operation Thor.

Public order offences are also falling.

Of course there is always more to be done, new challenges emerge and demands grow and, on that note, I want to wish Deputy Commissioner Justin Kelly the very best in his new role as Garda Commissioner effective from September 1st.

And I'm sure Deputy Commissioner Kelly, when he looks out at this occasion, will remember his own passing out not that long ago.

Vulnerable groups in our society deserve particular attention. Our elderly people are often fearful and need reassurance and it is important that we provide that. Our immigrant communities, as we’ve seen in recent weeks, can be the victims of cowardly and senseless attacks, be they verbal or physical, and they also need our support.

Attacks on individuals because of their inherent characteristics including race are abhorrent to the values of our republic and are condemned by any right-thinking people.

Earlier this year I commenced the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, which is one of the largest pieces of policing reform legislation since the foundation of the State.

We have also rolled out the new Garda Operating Model, a key reform that delivers on recommendations by the Commission on the Future of Policing.

The government will continue to invest in recruitment, equipment, vehicles, technology and facilities to ensure An Garda Síochána has the tools and people it needs to do its job effectively.

Yes, it is a different environment for policing, but we must respond to the challenges we face. We must continue to evolve and adapt to meet those challenges.

However, always remember you are joining a service that is trusted by the people it protects and that is supported by me and the Government.

I know your future as Gardaí is bright and as Minister, as I say, you will always have my support.

I hope you enjoy this special day with your family and friends to celebrate your achievement before your work begins in earnest.

I want to thank you all for applying to become members of An Garda Síochána.

I want to congratulate you on becoming members of An Garda Síochána.

I want to thank you for your dedication and your service.

I wish you all the best in your career careers ahead.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh go leir.