Speech for Minister Jim O’Callaghan at the Garda Attestation Ceremony

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Ladies and gentlemen,

Commissioner,

Distinguished guests, family and friends,

And most of all, to our new Garda Members.

It is a great honour to be with you today on this momentous occasion.

For each of you attesting today, it is a milestone that marks the beginning of your career and commitment to public service.

It is a day of celebration and achievement for you, and one of immense pride for your families and loved ones … and rightly so.

You have chosen a career that is not easy but hugely fulfilling. Your career as Gardaí will demand of you a large measure of courage, resilience, and compassion.

But it is also a career of service to your community, and to the people of Ireland. It is an exciting career and I firmly share the view that it is a job worth doing.

You now join a tradition that stretches back over a century, one built on trust, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to the public we serve.

Very sadly today, we also remember and honour your colleague, Garda Kevin Flatley, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty last month.

Garda Flatley has been described by his colleagues as “one of life’s good guys,” a devoted family man, a hurler and all-round sportsman, a cherished friend, and a man who was proud to be a Member of An Garda Siochana and who embodied the very best of this organisation.

His sudden death has left his family bereft and the entire Garda organisation numbed and deeply saddened.

As Minister, I want to reaffirm that I will implement whatever new measures may be identified to ensure Gardaí are as safe as possible when undertaking your duties.

Today, in this place where Kevin was proud to graduate in 1998, I want to again offer my heartfelt condolences to his wife Úna, to their children Aoife and Erin, to Kevin’s parents, and wider family and friends, and to all his colleagues across the Garda organisation.

The tributes paid to Garda Flatley and the number of people - ordinary members of the public - who didn’t know Kevin in life but who were moved to sign books of condolence in Garda stations across the country and line the streets for his funeral is a testament to his character and standing in the community.

They are also testament to the very deep and real connection between the Irish people and our Gardaí.

An Garda Síochána has, for over 100 years, been part of the very fabric of Irish life.

That strong relationship with the community is not the norm in many countries and it is something we should not take for granted.

No matter where your career in An Garda Síochána takes you, serving the community will always be at the heart of all work.

It is a constant source of great pride to hear the many testimonies from members of the public who speak so highly of how they were supported by Gardaí in their hour of need.

As Minister for Justice, my focus is to ensure we do all we can to make Ireland a safer place for everyone.

Making sure that An Garda Siochana is at full-strength is a core part of that.

That means providing you with resources, systems and technology that support and facilitate your important work.

It means amending the law where appropriate, to ensure you have the powers to do your job.

It also means recruiting more Gardaí and more Garda staff so that you can do the job we ask of you, to the standard that the public expect, using the excellent training that you have undertaken here in Templemore.

This government has made a commitment to recruit at least 5,000 new Gardaí over the next five years.

And there is no doubt that growing numbers of outstanding women and men are coming through the gates of this historic College.

Another class of 170 will start their journey next week and I am particularly pleased to note that some of the early recruits from the 2025 recruitment competition which only closed in February will enter the Garda College on Monday next, having successfully completed the interview. This is efficient processing and will without doubt serve to secure greater numbers of recruits.

Delivering on our recruitment targets is a key priority for me.

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

The fact that people across the country want to see more Gardaí in their communities and on the streets reflect the high standing in which you are held. There’s a very positive story behind that narrative. It shows the confidence the people of Ireland have in An Garda Siochana.

You are vital in ensuring the public are safe and that they feel safe.

Our overall Garda workforce is at the highest number it has ever been, but I know that it is not enough. My primary focus immediately is on strengthening An Garda Síochána as I have said

We will also expand the Garda Reserve to 2,000 and increase the number of Garda staff to 4,000.

The record allocation for this year’s budget will ensure the organisation has the people, equipment, and technology you need.

We also want to ensure that we retain really good people in An Garda Síochána.

I am very open to engagement on any measures we can take to support frontline Gardaí. Whether that is stronger protections and better equipment, more wellbeing supports, or through fair and equitable conditions.

It is an exciting time to be joining An Garda Síochána as we see further investments in technology.

Projects trialling the use of body-worn cameras continue across Limerick, Waterford, and Dublin City Centre.

I want to see this technology rolled-out to every frontline member of An Garda Síochána.

We will continue to invest in technology to ensure we have a modern, state-of-the-art police service equipped for the times we live in.

It is important to remember that you are joining an organisation that is both our national police and security service.

The security of this State is the first duty of both my office and your organisation. Security threats are ever changing, and so must our responses to those threats.

The Offences against the State Acts have served the State well throughout our history. They have allowed for the prosecution and imprisonment of some of the most serious terrorists and organised criminals.

Trial by jury is an important right under our Constitution. But it is not unqualified, and I believe a non-jury court will always be necessary to try some serious criminal offences in certain exceptional cases where the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice.

Given the importance of these Acts over many decades, any reform will be thoroughly considered and approached with the utmost care.

Next week I will also be seeking Cabinet approval to publish another piece of legislation which will bolster Ireland’s defences against terrorism.

The Terrorism Offences Bill will allow for the prosecution of a broader range of terrorist activities in light of the evolving nature terrorism.

These include terrorist acts with a cross-border element, and cyber-attacks where the aim is to cause widespread harm.

This new law will bring Ireland’s counter-terrorism laws into line with those of other EU member states. It will facilitate Ireland’s participation in enhanced counter-terrorism networks across the EU, giving An Garda Síochána the ability to tap into those networks to respond to both domestic and cross-border terrorist threats.

Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in your lives, and in the life of An Garda Síochána.

You have earned your place in this proud organisation through your hard work, your determination, and your sense of duty.

You should be very proud of what you have achieved so far.

You are joining a service that is trusted by the people it protects.

Nine out of ten people in Ireland say that they trust Gardaí, that they have been treated with respect, and that they have found Gardaí to be courteous and helpful.

That is a powerful endorsement, and it reflects the values you now carry forward.

The public need you and support you.

They want to see you in their communities, working with them, protecting them, and standing with them.

As Minister for Justice I thank you for choosing to serve as a member of An Garda Siochana and for stepping forward to do your duty. I also want to thank your families and loved ones here with you today and at home who have supported you through your training.

It is a very special day of celebration for you all.

And I make a promise to you today. As Minister, you will always have my support.

I wish you every success in your careers.

Go raibh mile a maith agait.