Almost 300 new Garda recruits graduated at the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary, today.
The 201 men and 85 women were presented with their certificates by Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea at a ceremony.
Among the graduates was Garda Desmond 'Ross' McCabe, son of Det Garda Jerry McCabe, who was shot dead during a post office raid in Adare, Co Limerick in 1996. Garda McCabe is to be stationed in Gurranabraher in Cork City.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony today, his mother Ann McCabe, said she was "delighted and very proud" that Ross had followed in the carreer of his late father.
“Today is not about me, it’s about Ross and all the other young men and women who chose this course," she said.
“I’m very pround of Ross and each and every garda who graduated today." Another son, John, is a sergeant serving in Ennistymon, Co Clare.
Asked about what her husband would have thought today, she added: “I’m sure he’s looking down on us doing better work."
Speaking before the ceremony, Mr O’Dea said he was satisfied with improved crime statistics released yesterday.
He said gardaí had worked hard and quite a few of those involved in criminal feuds in Limerick had been prosecuted.
The Minister said there would be no reductions in resources in front-line Garda policing and pointed out there had been an 11 per cent in crease in the budget this year. However, he could give no commitment on next year’s budget and said it was in negotiation.
“There has been an unprecedented level of investment in An Garda Siochana over the past number of years, leading to a significant expansion in the number of personnel, both sworn and unsworn,” said Mr O’Dea.
“Garda resources must be targeted where they can have the most effect and can respond rapidly and satisfactorily to the needs of communities in all parts of the country,” he added.
Speaking at the ceremony Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said Ireland must pull together to stop the drug crystal meth ravaging the country.
He revealed his worry about the seizure of 6kg of the highly-addictive substance, officially called methamphetamine, last week. Also known as crystal meth, meth or ice, the synthetic drug is worse than heroin, Mr Murphy said.
“I want to plead and to ask the public, nurses, doctors, teachers, parents, anybody who has information to report it to ensure this scourge of a drug doesn’t come into this jurisdiction,” he said.
The Garda discovery of the meth in Co Offaly last week was the biggest seizure of the drug in the state’s history.
“I want to ensure that this doesn’t creep into this country,” Mr Murphy said.
“It is my understanding that that is a very addictive drug and the mortality rate amongst addicts is very high, worse than heroin and that’s saying something.”
He was responding to the latest crime statistics which showed narcotics offences in the last three months jumped 15 per cent.
The Commissioner vowed he would not let the substance get a foothold in the Irish market.
Additional reporting PA
