Irish woman quits Australia to return home and join Gardaí

The sunshine of Australia could not deter a young Irish woman from fulfilling her dream of becoming a Garda.

Niamh O’Connor from Portlaoise, Co Laois has eschewed the excitement of Sydney to return to Ireland and join An Garda Síochána.

Niamh spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live and said, “I’ve wanted to be a Garda since I was in school. I studied criminal justice in college from three years. Covid delayed things then so I said I’d go to Australia for a while.

“I went out last October on a year long visa and started working in recruitment. At that stage I had the first exam done, I did my second in November in Australia, I did the interview then in January and I flew back in April for the fitness test. I was just in Australia for six months,” she said.

She had travelled with fellow Scoil Chríost Rí graduates Amy O’Reilly and Jessica Fitzpatrick who are still enjoying life over in Oz.

Niamh is one of two daughters of John and Maria O’Connor, with her sister Aisling also moving out to Sydney last year.

“My dad thought I’d love Australia and forget about the guards, but it stuck with me. They’re delighted to have me home now,” said Niamh, who is being posted to Bray, Wicklow to begin her Garda career.

“I enjoyed the training, I was on placement in Tullamore. I got lucky, Bray is lovely. I am delighted, it was a long process but it was worth it,” she said.

She is one of 157 new graduates who formally passed out last Friday, June 28.

The others from O’Connor’s native Laois include Emma Murphy from Ballylinan (pictured below with Niamh), Stephanie Traynor from Portlaoise and Jack Cuddy from Camross.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has congratulated all 157 new Garda members after their Passing-Out Ceremony in Templemore bringing to approximately 323 the number of newly attested members this year.

Thirty-five per cent of new recruits are women while 11 per cent were born outside of Ireland, coming from the USA, Pakistan, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Brazil and Romania. It brings the strength of An Garda Síochána up to 14,100 Sworn Gardaí,  3,502 Garda Staff and 329 Garda Reserves.

A further 294 Garda recruits, two intakes, are currently undergoing the training programme at the Garda College.

The next intake of Garda recruits entered the Garda College on Monday July 1. 

“Today is a day that marks the end of a long journey of determination and hard work to get to here, and the now the beginning of a new journey into a career that will be no doubt challenging, but I hope immensely fulfilling for you all.

“I would like to thank each of you for making this commitment to serve and protect the people of Ireland – I offer you my sincerest gratitude and congratulations,” Minister McEntee said.

Speaking at the attestation, Commissioner Drew Harris welcomed the new Garda probationers said;

“In applying to become a Garda you took the first steps towards a rewarding and varied career. And now as you prepare to embark on the road ahead, it is important to remember the journey to where you are today. It has taken strength. It has taken dedication. It has taken a drive to succeed, and a desire to be of service.”