TAP '>' ABOVE FOR LOCAL GARDA PROFILES Have you ever thought of becoming a garda? This could be your chance! An Garda Síochána is running a recruitment campaign until 3pm on Friday (April 14) to recruit 1,000 new Gardaí this year, as provided for in Budget 2023. Here in Kilkenny, local gardaí have been getting the word out about the campaign by holding local recruitment drives. The most recent of these drives took place on The Parade in Kilkenny City last week. People from all across Kilkenny interested in becoming a garda could liaise with local members of the gardaí for insight into what the job entails. Inspector Alma Molloy is currently the Liaison Inspector for the garda recruitment campaign in the Kilkenny/Carlow Division. Inspector Molloy has been based in Kilkenny Garda Station since 2007, with 25 years of service. She recently spoke to Kilkenny Live about the campaign and its aims. “This campaign aims to build stronger and safer communities for the future by increasing diversity and inclusion within our organisation,” she said. “We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities to become a garda as it’s important to have a police force that reflects the diversity of the population we serve.“Being a garda is a diverse and rewarding job, ranging from helping someone in the community to making an arrest or going to court. “On a daily basis, gardaí make a difference in people’s lives, and the satisfaction of helping someone in need is immense.” Inspector Molloy stated that the recruitment campaign is based on insights from frontline gardaí and features real-life examples from individual gardaí of how they have helped people and communities. “We aim to show the nature of the job, including shift work, community engagement, making arrests, and supporting victims of crime,” she said. Molloy also noted that there are many opportunities for career development within An Garda Síochána, such as working in specialised units, overseas duty, or promotion to a higher rank.placeholder image
TAP '>' ABOVE FOR LOCAL GARDA PROFILES Have you ever thought of becoming a garda? This could be your chance! An Garda Síochána is running a recruitment campaign until 3pm on Friday (April 14) to recruit 1,000 new Gardaí this year, as provided for in Budget 2023. Here in Kilkenny, local gardaí have been getting the word out about the campaign by holding local recruitment drives. The most recent of these drives took place on The Parade in Kilkenny City last week. People from all across Kilkenny interested in becoming a garda could liaise with local members of the gardaí for insight into what the job entails. Inspector Alma Molloy is currently the Liaison Inspector for the garda recruitment campaign in the Kilkenny/Carlow Division. Inspector Molloy has been based in Kilkenny Garda Station since 2007, with 25 years of service. She recently spoke to Kilkenny Live about the campaign and its aims. “This campaign aims to build stronger and safer communities for the future by increasing diversity and inclusion within our organisation,” she said. “We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities to become a garda as it’s important to have a police force that reflects the diversity of the population we serve.“Being a garda is a diverse and rewarding job, ranging from helping someone in the community to making an arrest or going to court. “On a daily basis, gardaí make a difference in people’s lives, and the satisfaction of helping someone in need is immense.” Inspector Molloy stated that the recruitment campaign is based on insights from frontline gardaí and features real-life examples from individual gardaí of how they have helped people and communities. “We aim to show the nature of the job, including shift work, community engagement, making arrests, and supporting victims of crime,” she said. Molloy also noted that there are many opportunities for career development within An Garda Síochána, such as working in specialised units, overseas duty, or promotion to a higher rank.

Gardaí looking for people in Kilkenny to join the ranks - still time to apply!

Christopher Dunne
By Christopher Dunne

Content Editor (Digital)

Published 12th Apr 2023, 14:48 GMT

Garda Kevin O’Donovan                                                                            The idea to become a garda first came into my head during a primary school trip to Tullamore. Unfortunately, by the time I was finished my Leaving Cert, a recruitment ban was in place due to the recession so I pursued different qualifications and a different career. I finally got the chance in 2019 to put in my application form to join An Garda Síochána and I haven’t looked back since. The ability to help the public was always very appealing to me. I remember one incident at the early stage of my career where an elderly male needed assistance as he fell inside his home in the early hours of the morning. The elderly gentleman was so grateful for our assistance and he thankfully made a full recovery. The job is quite challenging, however it is also very rewarding and each day is a different day with different experiences. The ability to be able to help vulnerable people on a daily basis is quite satisfying. The job is constantly changing and adapting to the society that it serves and protects. It’s definitely a job worth doing!

1.

Garda Kevin O’Donovan                                                                            The idea to become a garda first came into my head during a primary school trip to Tullamore. Unfortunately, by the time I was finished my Leaving Cert, a recruitment ban was in place due to the recession so I pursued different qualifications and a different career. I finally got the chance in 2019 to put in my application form to join An Garda Síochána and I haven’t looked back since. The ability to help the public was always very appealing to me. I remember one incident at the early stage of my career where an elderly male needed assistance as he fell inside his home in the early hours of the morning. The elderly gentleman was so grateful for our assistance and he thankfully made a full recovery. The job is quite challenging, however it is also very rewarding and each day is a different day with different experiences. The ability to be able to help vulnerable people on a daily basis is quite satisfying. The job is constantly changing and adapting to the society that it serves and protects. It’s definitely a job worth doing!

Garda Aoife Doyle                                                                                        I am currently on the regular unit in Kilkenny Garda Station. I love the regular unit as it is so diverse and there is a range of different duties that I am detailed for each week. Back in June 2019, Garda James McGuill, Garda Caroline O’Brien and I saved a male who was drowning in the River Nore on a Saturday night. We each had a role to play in saving this male’s life. If we did not work as a team we may not have done so. Teamwork is such an important part of the job as a member of An Garda Síochána. Since becoming a member of An Garda Síochána I have noticed that there is a massive emphasis placed on engaging with the community. I have realised that engaging with the local community is the key to not only enjoying your work but also to being viewed as a competent member of An Garda Síochána. I also enjoy getting out on the beat, stopping and speaking to members of the local community as I always enjoy the chat. I could never picture myself doing anything other than being a member of An Garda Síochána.

2.

Garda Aoife Doyle                                                                                        I am currently on the regular unit in Kilkenny Garda Station. I love the regular unit as it is so diverse and there is a range of different duties that I am detailed for each week. Back in June 2019, Garda James McGuill, Garda Caroline O’Brien and I saved a male who was drowning in the River Nore on a Saturday night. We each had a role to play in saving this male’s life. If we did not work as a team we may not have done so. Teamwork is such an important part of the job as a member of An Garda Síochána. Since becoming a member of An Garda Síochána I have noticed that there is a massive emphasis placed on engaging with the community. I have realised that engaging with the local community is the key to not only enjoying your work but also to being viewed as a competent member of An Garda Síochána. I also enjoy getting out on the beat, stopping and speaking to members of the local community as I always enjoy the chat. I could never picture myself doing anything other than being a member of An Garda Síochána.

Garda TJ Timmons                                                                                 I joined An Garda Síochána in 2020 and my first station as a trainee Garda was in Birr, County Offaly. I then moved to work in Kilkenny Garda Station in November 2021. I joined An Garda Síochána as it offers a job with huge variety whereby no two days are the same. Since joining An Garda Síochána, I have attended a huge range of incidents and it gives me great satisfaction seeing incidents conclude with a positive outcome for the victims of crime. As members of An Garda Síochána, we face numerous challenges on a daily basis in our changing society such as the increase in level of violence at incidents. This adds to the uncertainty for garda members of what they may be faced with when they respond to calls. I would recommend a career in An Garda Síochána to anyone who enjoys interacting with people and works well in a team based work place, as both are essential in the role of a garda.

3.

Garda TJ Timmons                                                                                 I joined An Garda Síochána in 2020 and my first station as a trainee Garda was in Birr, County Offaly. I then moved to work in Kilkenny Garda Station in November 2021. I joined An Garda Síochána as it offers a job with huge variety whereby no two days are the same. Since joining An Garda Síochána, I have attended a huge range of incidents and it gives me great satisfaction seeing incidents conclude with a positive outcome for the victims of crime. As members of An Garda Síochána, we face numerous challenges on a daily basis in our changing society such as the increase in level of violence at incidents. This adds to the uncertainty for garda members of what they may be faced with when they respond to calls. I would recommend a career in An Garda Síochána to anyone who enjoys interacting with people and works well in a team based work place, as both are essential in the role of a garda.

Related topics:GardaKilkenny
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