Garda College applicants left waiting over six months to find out if they're accepted
James Cox
A number of candidates for An Garda Síochána have been left waiting over six months to find out if they have been accepted for training, despite the force struggling to increase numbers.
The number of Garda fell during the summer months as efforts to increase the size of the force to the Government target of 15,000 continued to falter.
There are now fewer sworn Garda members than at the start of last year, despite a new recruitment campaign, according to a recent Irish Times report.
While the force aims to recruit 200 to the Garda College each year, an increasing number of successful candidates have been turning down places in the last two years.
Despite this, others have been left waiting.
Two candidates who completed the application process six months ago reached out to BreakingNews.ie to express their frustration at the situation.
The candidates, who wished to speak anonymously, have completed the rigorous application process which includes online exams, a written interview, fitness test, medical examination, and three local station interviews.
Both of the candidates have reached out to Garda HR to check the progress of their applications on a number of occasions and been told there were "suitability checks outstanding".
They said they have been given no timeline or indication of how long these checks will take.
The pair said they are in touch with at least six other candidates who are in the same situation.
"Three of us called last week, and we were all told suitability checks, but if we ask what for specifically, they go silent," one told BreakingNews.ie.
The other candidate said it is frustrating to hear about An Garda Síochána's recruitment difficulties when they are waiting to hear about their future.
"It's their fault, they have plenty of people waiting, and we're being kept in limbo. If there is a 2025 competition, it would mean there have been two competitions that have started since we applied."
In response to a query from BreakingNews.ie, An Garda Síochána issued the following statement: "The recruitment process for entry into An Garda Síochána is rigorous and involves several stages, including exams, interviews, fitness tests, medical examinations, and thorough security vetting.
"The security vetting process will take additional time, particularly if a candidate has spent time abroad, as this will require coordination with international authorities which is outside of the control of An Garda Síochána. Formal offers for a place as a Garda Trainee can only be made on successful completion of all stages of the application process."