New Recruits Sworn In Today As Garda Numbers Hit New Record

319 new Gardai were sworn in at Templemore today to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.

They weren't due to pass out until later this year but their training was accelerated as a result of the crisis.

However many of the recruits will be required to go back to Templemore after the Covid-19 emergency is over to complete their training.

But the new Gardai will have the full powers of other members of the force and will be deployed across the country.

They will help maximise the availability of Gardaí in local communities and help support other vital public services in responding to the evolving Covid-19 situation.

94 new gardaí will be assigned to the eastern region, 80 each to the North West and Southern regions and 65 to the Dublin region.

Gardai who work in the Garda college are being redeployed, with 59 being placed in the Eastern region, 56 in the South, 7 in Dublin and 2 in the North West.

There are now 14,758 Gardai of all ranks, the largest its ever been in the history of the state.

Meanwhile Gardai are urging people not to be afraid to call them for help during the coronavirus outbreak.

Members of the force have been assisting older and vulnerable people by delivering medicines and fixing computers.

In Limerick, Gardaì delivered coal, an ESB top up card and medication to a man who had no transport.

Meanwhile in Fenit, County Kerry Gardai travelled to a elderly woman's house to fix some technical issues on her laptop.