Meet members of the Garda Reserve

Campaign videos involving real Garda Reservists speaking about their experiences can be found here.

Reserve Garda Michael Murray is a Security Services Manager in the Education sector, currently based in the DMR South in Crumlin Garda station.

All throughout my life I have been involved in serving my country as a volunteer, F.C.A. and Army Reserve. My role for 20 years was Military Police. When the Garda Reserve began recruiting I joined with the 2^nd batch of recruits and, after training from some excellent Garda lecturers, was posted to Crumlin where I have served as a Garda Reserve for over 10 years. I find the hours, rostering and duty hours fit well with my family, work and other commitments.

As a more mature member I have found the professionalism, team ethos, empathy and community commitment of An Garda Síochána to be an excellent support system for the Garda Reserve programme and for the young, educated  full-time Gardaí that are graduating from the Garda College.

It makes sense that the makeup of a police force, regulars & reserves, reflects the community that they serve. While there is a lot to be said for “life experience”, it takes all kinds of people working together, police and civilian, young and old, to offer different ideas and perspectives to find the best way to serve our/their community.

Some might look on my individual contribution to An Garda Síochána, and the community as minor, but I wear the uniform of a Garda Reserve with pride and consider it an honour to serve as part of a team that provides such an important, inclusive, professional and courteous service to all our people.

Reserve Garda Fiona Kelly is 26 years-old and her area of full-time employment is in education where she has been working for the past seven years. Fiona is currently completing a BA Degree in Business and Management part-time. Reserve Garda Kelly is based in Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin's City centre since October 2006. Here are some of her thoughts on joining the Garda Reserve.

It’s always something I had a huge interest in. I wasn't in a position to join the full-time service, so joining the Garda Reserve and working alongside a full-time member carrying out his or her operational duties gave me an insight into what the role would be like.

I would consider myself a people person with good communication skills and I like to interact with the public on a daily basis. I felt my contribution would provide support to the full-time members. Garda reservists improve visible policing and can also contribute to reducing incidents of public order and anti-social behaviour in the division.

The Garda Reserve also builds on community engagement by reflecting the needs and priorities of the people from the area.

The course runs over a phased period of time with emphasis on law/legal and human rights lectures, with an element of physical training at the college in Templemore. Then a period of work experience follows at a station where you are tutored and observed by a full-time member of the service.

I have gained a considerable amount from this programme and a greater insight into the many problems that are prevalent in today's society. I would hope that as a member of the Garda Reserve, I can assist and support the full-time Gardaí in any way possible in their ever-difficult role today.