This Press Release is Embargoed until Tomorrow, 24th October at 1pm
An Garda Síochána in the Southern Region is today commemorating the 60th anniversary of women joining as Garda members at an event in The Great Southern Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry.
In July 1959, following a long-running campaign by civic groups and with the support of the then Garda Commissioner and Government, 12 women joined An Garda Siochana and were allocated to Pearse Street Station. Since then, women have made a crucial contribution to the organisation, as well as society. In December 1964 the first woman was allocated to the Southern Region and was station in the Bridewell, Cork.
Speaking at todays event, Assistant Commissioner Anne Marie McMahon said "Today we not only celebrate the 60th anniversary of women joining An Garda Síochána, but also the contribution women have made to An Garda Síochána and to policing since then.”
There are currently 3,780 females making up 27% of Garda members. This is above the European average for female representation within police services. In addition, 26% of the Garda reserve are female and 76% of Garda staff are also female.
Earlier in the year, Commissioner Harris announced that An Garda Síochána would be establishing a Women’s Network to support and encourage women in the advancement of their careers in the organisation. The Network will be chaired by Chief Superintendent Margaret Nugent.
Ref: SR 140/19
Notes to Editor.
A retired member and a Garda member from each county are available for interview upon request. Requests can be emailed to brendan.g.english@garda.ie Please include a contact number in your request.
Photographs of the event in Killarney will be made available to the media as soon as possible.
First women in the Southern Region;
Bridewell, Cork – 1964. Roxboro Road, Limerick – 1971. Tralee, Kerry - 1979
Figures on female representation are correct as of 31st May 2019. A divisional breakdown is as follows;
Cork City 197, Cork North 81, Cork West 77, Kerry 100, Limerick 164
A booklet with a short history of women in An Garda Síochána is available from the on www.garda.ie </
