Garda Reserve

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the educational requirements?

Candidates must have obtained in the Leaving Certificate Examination:

• A grade not lower than B3 at Foundation Level or D3 at another level in Mathematics, and
• A qualifying grade in 2 languages, 1 of which must be English or Irish, as follows: English: a grade not lower that D3 at Ordinary Level, Irish: a grade not lower than C3 at Foundation Level or D3 at another level, Other language: a grade not lower than D3 at Ordinary Level, and
• A grade not lower than D3 at Ordinary Level, in not less than 2 other subjects
  Or
  The Merit Grade in the Applied Leaving Certificate,
  Or
  Like Grades in another examination, that, in the opinion of the Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform, is not of a lower standard than the above.
  Or
  A former member who, on retirement, received an exemplary, very good or good discharge from An Garda Síochána is deemed to meet the requirements.
  Or
  The Garda Commissioner may exempt a person from meeting these requirements if satisfied that the person has personal attributes which otherwise render him or her suitable to be admitted as a reserve trainee. (This only occurs in exceptional circumstances).

Is there a height requirement?

There is no height requirement to join the Garda Reserve.

What are the physical requirements?

Successful candidates at stages 1 and 2 of the selection process will also be required to undergo an exacting medical examination by a Registered Medical Practitioner nominated by the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána or by the Chief Medical Officer at Garda Headquarters. Such candidates must be of good mental and bodily health and free from any defect or abnormality likely to interfere with the efficient performance of their duties.

Any of the following examples of medical conditions may be a bar to passing the medical examination:

• Defective Vision (the vision standard required of a Garda Reserve trainee is not less than 6/18, 6/18 correctable to 6/9,6/12, with normal colour vision).
• Varicose veins
• Being overweight
• Albumenuria
• Dental Caries
• Defective Hearing
• Hypertension 

Can a reserve police officer from another Country transfer to the Garda Síochána Reserve?

No there is no internal transfer process. You must go through the normal recruitment process.

Can a citizen from any country join?

Applicants to join must: -

• Be a national of a European Union Member State, or
• Be a national of an EEA State or the Swiss Confederation, or
• Be a refugee under the Refugee Act, 1996, or
• Have a period of one year's continuous residence in the State immediately before 1 September 2005 and, during the 8 years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to 4 years. (Periods of illegal residence or residence as an asylum seeker do not count in the qualifying 5 year period).

What are the restrictions on admission to training for the Garda Reserve?

Notwithstanding that the requirements of Regulation 4 are met, a person may not be recruited for admission as a reserve trainee if the person:-

• Holds a designated certificate, licence or permit i.e. Taxi/PSV License, License to sell intoxicating liquor
• Is a member of the Defence Forces
• Is an officer of the court
• Is an officer of the probation and welfare service
• Is a bailiff
• Is a prison officer
• Is a practicing barrister or a practicing solicitor
• For reward or personal gain, manages or conducts, or assists in the management or conducting of, a concern or premises which is required by law to be operated under a licence, permit or certificate, the grant of which may be opposed by An Garda Síochána
• Provides a security service within the meaning of the Private Security Services Act 2004
• Serves summonses as a spare time activity or
• Is employed in any occupation or holds any appointment or position which, in the opinion of the Garda Commissioner, may cause a conflict of interest with the proper discharge of the duties of a reserve member.

Notwithstanding any other provision of these regulations, the Garda Commissioner may not precruit a person for admission as a reserve trainee if it appears to the Commissioner that the person is generally unsuitable for such admission.

To apply now to join the Garda Reserve go to www.publicjobs.ie or Meet some members of the Garda Reserve