REVEALED: Over 200 trainees enter Tipperary Garda College as part of latest intake
215 trainees make up Intake 261
An Garda Síochána welcomed 215 new Garda Trainees who started their training in the Garda College on Monday, February 9, 2026, as Intake 261.
This follows the recent attestation of 167 Gardaí (Intake 252) as sworn members of An Garda Síochána on Friday, February 6, 2026.
Intake 261 will bring the number of Garda Trainees currently in training to 625, across intakes 253, 254 and 261, and the number of Garda Trainees who have started in the Garda College since recruitment recommenced in 2022 post-Covid to 2,500.
Recruit classes continue to enter the Garda College every 11 to 12 weeks.
Garda Recruitment is a multi-stage process.
Following completion of the online application form, candidates are required to complete online verbal, numerical assessment tests and questionnaires.
Successful candidates at Stage 1 are invited to undertake a competency-based interview.
Following interview Public Jobs provides details of successful candidates to An Garda Síochána to undergo Stage 3, appointments process.
The appointments process is conducted by An Garda Síochána.
During the appointments process candidates must complete a Physical Competence Test, a medical examination, substance misuse (Controlled Drug) testing, and vetting.
In successful completion of all the above parts, a candidate may be invited to partake in the Foundation Training Programme as Recruit Gardaí.
Phase 1 of the Foundation Training Programme takes 32 weeks and includes Stage 1 at the Garda College, Stage 2, which consists of Experiential, Observational learning Stage in Operational Garda Stations, and Stage 3, the Capstone stage, at the Garda College.
At the completion of Phase 1 of the Foundation Training Programme, Recruit Gardaí are attested and become Probationer Gardaí.
215 new Garda Trainees enter Templemore Garda College on February 9