Garda Reserve officers will help forge closer links between gardaí and local communities, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said this morning.
He was speaking at a ceremony to mark the graduation of the first batch of 36 volunteers who graduated at Templemore. They will serve in Garda districts in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Sligo.
Michael McDowell
"It is heartening that so many committed volunteers are prepared to serve their local communities," the the Tánaiste said.
"The men and women who have joined An Garda Síochána today are of the highest calibre, and they bring with them the experience and learning gained in their professional lives outside the force.
"They will be a real support to their full-time colleagues and will forge new and stronger links between local communities and An Garda Síochána."
The new reserve graduates are qualified to carry out Garda station duties other than the care and custody of prisoners. They can also monitor CCTV and undertake foot patrols accompanied by a Garda.
Other duties include attending road traffic checkpoints, sporting events and major emergencies as well as giving evidence in court, community policing and preserving crime scenes.
Over 7,000 applications for Garda Reserve have been received to date from all over the country.
Interviews took place in recent weeks for applicants from counties Limerick, Kerry, Galway, Clare, Sligo and Dublin. Successful candidates will start training in January.
The Public Appointments Service will be contacting applicants from other counties in the near future to arrange interviews.