Garda recruitment and age limit

A chara, – Some gardaí will be starting their careers at 50, while GAA inter-county referees must finish at the same age. Do both use the same bleep tests, or do gardaí chasing criminals need to be fitter than referees running away from supporters? – Is mise,

LOMAN Ó LOINGSIGH,

Dublin 24.

Sir, – To seek to recruit older members of the community into the Garda Síochána seems an intelligent and assertive move by the Garda Commissioner. To get experienced recruits with the skills in information technology and forensic accounting, etc, clearly meets a defined demand and an identified weakness within the force. What’s less understandable is why they would join a force and get paid €309 a week. – Yours, etc,