A group of Garda reserves graduated from the Garda College in Co Tipperary today. The 59 join just over 100 who have been trained since recruitment into the Reserve began just over a year ago.
The government has a target of having 1,600 reservists in place across the country by 2012 - 10 per cent of a full-time force of 16,000.
Speaking at the graduation, Minister of State Maire Hoctor - standing in the Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan - said they had a crucial role to play in strengthening links between An Garda Siochana and the wider community.
The Minister of State said: "As Reserve Gardai you will be at the heart of police work in your communities. You will be the local face of policing confronting not just crime, but also the fear of crime."
She said they would be the visible reassurance to all of safety and security "the guardians of the peace and the providers of peace of mind".
The new reservists were sworn into the force in a private ceremony with the Garda Commissioner before a public graduation attended by their families. The graduates will be allocated to Garda station throughout the country.
PA