Garda Recruitment - Applying to join An Garda Siochana

Shield · 27-06-2010 12:53PM

Mod note:

I deleted a good few posts from various users who responded with vigour to a certain individual who thought he could use this forum as his own personal playground.

All traces of that individual are now gone, and he won't be back. I also deleted your replies because, to be honest, I don't think his name is worthy of mention, and I think it's best that we just let it go.

It was great to see you all stand up to him, and I applaud your individual and collect resolve to let him know his negativity was not welcome on this forum.

Let's get it back on topic.

Thanks.

pento · 27-06-2010 01:09PM

seems like my previous post regarding the necessity of LC maths started a bit of controversy. Apologies for that, and to the OP. Either way, most employers in the public and private sector have minimum standards for the role they are advertising, and they are not obliged to give you time to go off and get the necessary requirements before they hire for the job. So for those people who think they will be told that 1st aid an a full driver's licence is necessary, in my opinion they will be not given time specifically to go and get them (although it would be nice if things worked like that).
PAS could use this as a way of whittling down the massive number of applicants.
I wonder how many have registered interest on publicjobs since the media reported 15,000 have signed up so far....

cuponthefloor · 28-06-2010 07:43AM

So does anyone know when we can actually apply for the upcomming recruitment drvie or is it all stiil pie in the sky. I have holidays booked in august and i dont want to miss anything because i am away.

Koku · 28-06-2010 08:23AM

Thanks for all the nice comments eroo, itsallgood (im female by the way) and bluebelle and to those of you that were rude I personally dont see the benefit in rudness, its a very low personal trait in my opinion.

I was just outlining my qualifications as I had seen that there may be possibility for exemption as suggested. Im not the type of person to flaunt my qualifications, I was simply asking a question and expected that people would take that at face value, I have seen questions posted before and it is usual that the poster is asked for further information, I was pre-empting that.

Ruairi88, Im dyslexic and have a difficulty with maths, I have no issues with adding, subtracting, division or multiplication. I got into college through the back door, the access course. I would recommend this course to everyone by the way.

Both my brother and sister have done it also, shes just finished third year arts and hes just finished third year engineering.

Once further information on the application appears on publicjobs I will enquire directly.

thanks.

itsallgood · 28-06-2010 08:54AM

Koku wrote: »

Thanks for all the nice comments eroo, itsallgood (im female by the way) and bluebelle and to those of you that were rude I personally dont see the benefit in rudness, its a very low personal trait in my opinion.

Sorry Koku,
Best of luck with everthing and hopefully your qualifications will weigh up in your favour

Abed · 28-06-2010 10:16AM

Hi Koku,
I was in the same boat as you. I hold an LL.M and few Degrees and Diplomas.
I knew about the maths thing 4 days before the LC exams and decided to do it to be on the safe side , registered 3 days before the exams (late registration) and had two days to study (few grinds) the tutor I used corrected my sheet and said I will most likely get an A.
This is after two days study only!
Now, I Know there is a provision in one of the Garda Acts which provides that the Commissioner can appoint a person as a Garda without regard to the entry requirement if such a person possesses technical skills (not the reserve regulation). There were few reports that this provision would be used to recruit people with linguistic skills ...etc

I have these saved at my home computer and will post them here later.

gillco · 28-06-2010 11:54AM

hey there i notice alot of pannick on this page, with only about 100 recruits getting in this year i'm not holding out much hope. i applied the last time and was placed 3rd after the aptitude tests i would recommend using <mod snip> as although many of the aptitude tests are common sense they also give you useful information that will help you on the day. I passed the interview and report writting but failed the verbal reasoning i think i was so hungup on what might go wrong in the interview that i neglected practicing for the other two tests so i would urge ppl not to make this mistake. although i was heart broken before i'm willing to go again. almost 90% of the guards i know dropped out of college to join so i can't see this going against you. all i can say is good luck to everyone.

Hooch · 28-06-2010 12:00PM

Abed wrote: »

Hi Koku,
Now, I Know there is a provision in one of the Garda Acts which provides that the Commissioner can appoint a person as a Garda without regard to the entry requirement if such a person possesses technical skills (not the reserve regulation). There were few reports that this provision would be used to recruit people with linguistic skills ...etc

Generally this was used for the Garda Band and for Telecomms people (although Telecomms is nearly phased out by tetra)

Doesnt happen that often and while they are attested members of AGS they cannot go on patrol and are bound to non confrontational duties.

Koku · 28-06-2010 01:15PM

Hi Abed, I have been keeping tabs on the garda entry for a while and knew of the entry requirements for the last year, so in that regard I ony have myself to blame for not taking the initiative sooner. When the garda recruitment advert was placed on the publicjobs website I checked with the CRO about the closing date for the LC maths exam and it said the closing date had passed. From what you are saying I take it that you applied around this time. I think the lack of confidence I have in myself when it comes to maths would have meant that I would not have undertaken the exam anyway with such short notice but I should have looked into this further.

I actually applied to join Interpol there afew months ago but was unsuccessful, I suppose Im really concerned with trying to enter another profession that I may find out doesnt suit me either, I got into law as I wanted to prosecute but it was only in my last year that I found out that there is an unwritten rule that you must defend for about 5 years first. I can see the logic in this but Im not willing to do it so I work for a private company now.

I applied for a phd in criminal law this year in the hope that it would help me to go into one of the specialised units after the 3 years on the street, I know this is optimistic but I want to present myself as best I can.

Abed · 28-06-2010 02:13PM

Koku wrote: »

Hi Abed, I have been keeping tabs on the garda entry for a while and knew of the entry requirements for the last year, so in that regard I ony have myself to blame for not taking the initiative sooner. When the garda recruitment advert was placed on the publicjobs website I checked with the CRO about the closing date for the LC maths exam and it said the closing date had passed. From what you are saying I take it that you applied around this time. I think the lack of confidence I have in myself when it comes to maths would have meant that I would not have undertaken the exam anyway with such short notice but I should have looked into this further.

I actually applied to join Interpol there afew months ago but was unsuccessful, I suppose Im really concerned with trying to enter another profession that I may find out doesnt suit me either, I got into law as I wanted to prosecute but it was only in my last year that I found out that there is an unwritten rule that you must defend for about 5 years first. I can see the logic in this but Im not willing to do it so I work for a private company now.

I applied for a phd in criminal law this year in the hope that it would help me to go into one of the specialised units after the 3 years on the street, I know this is optimistic but I want to present myself as best I can.

Hi again koku,

I could not believe either that they accepted me with 3 days notice! The fact is I knew somebody who works in adult education who had this sorted for me.

I assure you that an ordinary level maths is a picnic for anyone who passed the bar entry exams and graduated. I have academic law background and still would not dream of passing the bar exams!

I don’t know how you feel about that, but I would consider the PSNI if I was you. They don’t have any academic entry requirement but have an accelerated promotion scheme (high potential scheme) for qualified people like yourself in which you'll probably be an inspector in 4-5 years.

They also pay an almost full salary while training (3 months in contrast to 18 here).

If you feel later on that the PSNI is not for you (once you become a sergeant or inspector) you can transfer to any UK police force.

They actually stress on their website that they are looking for people with life experience and a career under their belt.

The last campaign was in Feb but they will surely recruit again in 2011 when the full-time reserve (2500 officers) will be dissolved.

Delancey · 28-06-2010 02:39PM

Abed wrote: »

Hi again koku,

I don’t know how you feel about that, but I would consider the PSNI if I was you. They don’t have any academic entry requirement but have an accelerated promotion scheme (high potential scheme) for qualified people like yourself in which you'll probably be an inspector in 4-5 years.

They also pay an almost full salary while training (3 months in contrast to 18 here).

If you feel later on that the PSNI is not for you (once you become a sergeant or inspector) you can transfer to any UK police force.

They actually stress on their website that they are looking for people with life experience and a career under their belt.

The last campaign was in Feb but they will surely recruit again in 2011 when the full-time reserve (2500 officers) will be dissolved.

The P.S.N.I. do operate a High Potential Scheme for those who show strong potential to advance - it does not require a degree unlike the Accelerated Promotion Scheme it has replaced. It is , I understand very demanding to get on this scheme but if successful people can expect reasonably fast promotion but it would be unwise to take that for granted.

P.S.N.I. training is 21 weeks before attesting as an officer followed by 10 weeks of training in skills like firearms , driving , first aid , etc.

The official position is that once the current campaign finishes up it will be the end of the large scale recruitment we have seen for the P.S.N.I. to quote '' it is unlikely the PSNI will recruit on the same scale after March 2011 ''.

The full time reserve is , I understand now less than 1,000 officers .

Koku · 28-06-2010 03:43PM

Im afraid im a home bird, my last year in college was in Dublin and I travelled up and down every day on the train, I couldnt be away from home long term, I live in Moylough County Galway, thats half way to Ballinasloe so I would no issue in driving to Dublin every day if that was possible and if I got into a specialised unit somewhere down the line. I understand that I could be posted anywhere.

I dont want anyone to think that I feel I would have more of a right to get into a specailised unit because of any qualification I have but I do hope that it will assist me, Im actually quite conscious of how I am presenting myself now as a result of previous comments which appeared to suggest that I was boasting.

I have no hidden agenda, what you see is what you get, Im a very honest person so if I wanted to suggest that I was great I wouldnt insinuate it, I would outline it as a statement . I was the first person in my family to go to college, I came from a single parent family where money was extremely tight to put it mildly so I worked my ass off to get there, thankfully it has left me with no misconceptions of grandeur.

Why do any of you want to be guards ???? Im not looking for the answer you will give in the interview, Im looking for the real answer. (they may be one of the same for some people)

Abed · 28-06-2010 04:25PM

Koku wrote: »

Im afraid im a home bird, my last year in college was in Dublin and I travelled up and down every day on the train, I couldnt be away from home long term, I live in Moylough County Galway, thats half way to Ballinasloe so I would no issue in driving to Dublin every day if that was possible and if I got into a specialised unit somewhere down the line. I understand that I could be posted anywhere.

I dont want anyone to think that I feel I would have more of a right to get into a specailised unit because of any qualification I have but I do hope that it will assist me, Im actually quite conscious of how I am presenting myself now as a result of previous comments which appeared to suggest that I was boasting.

I have no hidden agenda, what you see is what you get, Im a very honest person so if I wanted to suggest that I was great I wouldnt insinuate it, I would outline it as a statement . I was the first person in my family to go to college, I came from a single parent family where money was extremely tight to put it mildly so I worked my ass off to get there, thankfully it has left me with no misconceptions of grandeur.

Why do any of you want to be guards ???? Im not looking for the answer you will give in the interview, Im looking for the real answer. (they may be one of the same for some people)

I live in Loughrea myself and commute to Limerick for work. I would not join the PSNI for the same reasons.

You should not apologise for your qualifications, those who have issues with that can be bitter as much as they like. It is easy to see that you are you are not the show-offy type.

I will be honest at the interview and tell the panel about the reasons why I want to join, one of which is because An Garda Siochana is a big organisation in which I can realise my potential and use my qualifications and skills (including Masters in Law, Diploma in Community Development, and fluency in the Arabic language ...etc)

The very personal reason I want to be a Garda is because I’m from an ethnic minority and want people to see me as a professional beyond my skin colour and accent.

I will be down on money if I become a Garda (currently on very good salary and 3 year contract) but it will be absolutely worth it.

pento · 28-06-2010 05:27PM

I want to join the guards as I enjoy helping people and its an honorable and varied career. Look I dont want to berate you or be "mean", but I think you should probably place less emphasis on joining a specialist unit. As things stand, you aren't even eligible to join the guards as a trainee, let alone a specialist unit, you're number 1 priority should be to get leaving cert maths, then apply, do your best to get in, and then work very hard for 3 years. Then is the time to start thinking about applying to join a specialist unit. Good luck with it.

C-J · 28-06-2010 05:35PM

Why do any of you want to be guards ???? Im not looking for the answer you will give in the interview, Im looking for the real answer. (they may be one of the same for some people)[/QUOTE]

I know its a total cliche but Ive wanted to be a garda since I was tiny. Family members and friends have influenced me along the way & made me decide its the path for me. Ive always been a leader & find it very easy to chat to all sorts of people, I also have a legal background which I want to put to use further down the line. Life experience is essential before applying for the guards (which I have bucketloads of!!!) and I really cant wait to get the call to start. Well I suppose i CAN wait seeing as Ive been waiting since May 08!!!

shakin · 28-06-2010 06:09PM

Koku wrote: »

Im afraid im a home bird, my last year in college was in Dublin and I travelled up and down every day on the train, I couldnt be away from home long term, I live in Moylough County Galway, thats half way to Ballinasloe so I would no issue in driving to Dublin every day if that was possible and if I got into a specialised unit somewhere down the line. I understand that I could be posted anywhere.
I dont want anyone to think that I feel I would have more of a right to get into a specailised unit because of any qualification I have but I do hope that it will assist me, Im actually quite conscious of how I am presenting myself now as a result of previous comments which appeared to suggest that I was boasting.

I have no hidden agenda, what you see is what you get, Im a very honest person so if I wanted to suggest that I was great I wouldnt insinuate it, I would outline it as a statement . I was the first person in my family to go to college, I came from a single parent family where money was extremely tight to put it mildly so I worked my ass off to get there, thankfully it has left me with no misconceptions of grandeur.

Why do any of you want to be guards ???? Im not looking for the answer you will give in the interview, Im looking for the real answer. (they may be one of the same for some people)

if your accepted as a trainee you can be posted anywhere in the country and although i have no experience i imagine long commutes on the tough roster some gardai work would be impossible. good luck though:)

Devil08 · 28-06-2010 06:17PM

The sooner recruitment begins again the better! these threads are just causing a lot of unrest and getting people's knickers in a twist over nothing. Everything you read here is nothing but opinion and whatever you read should be taken with a pinch of salt! A very large pinch! It will be funny to read back on all these threads in 6 months time..People need to relax and sit tight!!

eroo · 28-06-2010 07:14PM

Did anyone else see that Public Jobs will be down tomorrow between 5 and 6pm for maintenance? Could be them preparing for a drive.. I hope!!!

da__flash · 28-06-2010 07:32PM

eroo wrote: »

Did anyone else see that Public Jobs will be down tomorrow between 5 and 6pm for maintenance? Could be them preparing for a drive.. I hope!!![

+1

lets hope so :cool:

Devil08 · 28-06-2010 07:47PM

eroo wrote: »

Did anyone else see that Public Jobs will be down tomorrow between 5 and 6pm for maintenance? Could be them preparing for a drive.. I hope!!!

codswallop

eroo · 28-06-2010 07:58PM

Devil08 wrote: »

codswallop

Nobody asked what you had for dinner.

We were just thinking aloud on possible developments.

Devil08 · 28-06-2010 08:09PM

eroo wrote: »

Nobody asked what you had for dinner.

We were just thinking aloud on possible developments.

no cod for me for dinner - wouldnt have been bad though, havnt had fish in ages. I was merely stating that it was an outlandish statement to presume a recruitment drive would begin just because the web maintenance guy was doing a bit of work for a change

Jypo1 · 28-06-2010 08:28PM

eroo wrote: »

Did anyone else see that Public Jobs will be down tomorrow between 5 and 6pm for maintenance? Could be them preparing for a drive.. I hope!!!

Good spot eroo. be nice wouldnt it!!

kerry4sam · 28-06-2010 08:34PM

Devil08 wrote: »

The sooner recruitment begins again the better! these threads are just causing a lot of unrest and getting people's knickers in a twist over nothing. Everything you read here is nothing but opinion and whatever you read should be taken with a pinch of salt! A very large pinch! It will be funny to read back on all these threads in 6 months time..People need to relax and sit tight!!

Devil08 wrote: »

...I was merely stating that it was an outlandish statement to presume a recruitment drive would begin just because the web maintenance guy was doing a bit of work for a change

I completely agree with you Devil08. One thing to remember here though is that these threads are being read by and receive replies from people of differing age-groups; personalities and experience. Their will always be rumours and suggestions; hopes built and aspirations dashed. At the end of the day though, everyone is different and that's exactly why these threads are so popular by varying people and organisations as this is where they hear and read all sides and all thoughts from every possible view-point.

Devil08 · 28-06-2010 08:51PM

kerry4sam wrote: »

I completely agree with you Devil08. One thing to remember here though is that these threads are being read by and receive replies from people of differing age-groups; personalities and experience. Their will always be rumours and suggestions; hopes built and aspirations dashed. At the end of the day though, everyone is different and that's exactly why these threads are so popular by varying people and organisations as this is where they hear and read all sides and all thoughts from every possible view-point.

Yes I agree - all entitled to their opinions - and all entitled to give their opinion of opinions - hope I didnt quash anyones aspirations!

kerry4sam · 28-06-2010 08:53PM

Devil08 wrote: »

Yes I agree - all entitled to their opinions - and all entitled to give their opinion of opinions - hope I didnt quash anyones aspirations!

Oh I would think that you didn't!

Delancey · 28-06-2010 09:22PM

Devil08 wrote: »

codswallop

Crisp , Succinct , Incisive and To The Point - love it !

eroo · 28-06-2010 09:48PM

Why... so... serious?

Devil08 · 28-06-2010 10:01PM

eroo wrote: »

Why... so... serious?

Why....Use.....Dots....between ......words????

eroo · 28-06-2010 10:22PM

Devil08 wrote: »

Why....Use.....Dots....between ......words????

I see that went over your head!

google it!

Garda Recruitment - Applying to join An Garda Siochana

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