GERARD McNamee is no stranger to  hard work, and he has a genuine interest in people – vital ingredients which make him perfectly suited to his new role as a garda.

The Killea man left school at the age of 17 to travel the world as a professional Irish dancer before returning to Donegal a decade ago to pursue a career in healthcare.

During a seven-year stint with the HSE as a healthcare worker, which saw him on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic, he completed a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing at ATU.

At the same time, Gerard was also a travelling musician, performing in England and Scotland, as well as further afield in Portugal and Spain.

He spoke to the Donegal News this week amid a major garda recruitment campaign to urge others to consider it as a meaningful and career.

“Being a frontline worker is something that you have to have within you. It is a vocation. There’s something about a person that makes them want to be a frontline worker, and I found that in myself.”

Gerard applied to become a garda 12 years ago but it wasn’t to be at that time. A decision, he says, he is now grateful for.

“I’ve always challenged myself and set goals. My application to become a garda in 2013 was unsuccessful at that time, it wasn’t the right time for me. I’m a huge believer in things happening at the right time, and looking back it just wasn’t the right time.”

The 32-year-old set about pursuing a career again with An Garda Siochána in May 2023, completing all the stages successfully. He started in the Garda Training College in Templemore on December 16, 2024.

“Templemore was very daunting on the first day but it really gets you set up for the real work environment. I really enjoyed the experience because it tightened me up as a person.

“I was in the first intake of garda recruits of the extended age bracket to 50 years, so in my intake there were people of all different ages, personal backgrounds and experiences. People had a diverse range of knowledge and skills to bring to the force.

“It was a full circle learning environment. Everyone brought different life experiences and because of that we were all able to interlink and help each other through the process.”

Asked what advice Gerard would give anyone considering a career as a garda, he said: “I would urge anyone to have as much life experience first. Go travelling, and get their education under their belt.

“Having a bit of maturity is a major bonus. Gardaí are trained to deal with a lot of situations but there are others that you can’t be trained for, you learn it on the job.  Listening strong communication skills are also key factors.”

Gerard, who is a father-of-one,  is now attached to Letterkenny Garda Station, close to his home in Killea.

“Historically and up until recent years, gardaí weren’t stationed close to their home but now there is a bigger emphasis on this which is another huge benefit and something for others to consider if they are thinking about joining the gardai.

“I’m enjoying the experience. I will be based in the regular unit for two years before I can specialise. I am enjoying every learning opportunity. There’s a lot to learn, you’re dealing with assault, theft, burglary. Every call is different.”

A motorbike enthusiast, Gerard said that in the future he would consider moving into road traffic policing.

Up to 1,000 trainee gardaí are expected to be recruited in 2026, with an additional 200 civilian staff.

There are many benefits to pursuing a career with An Garda Síochána, including: The Foundation Training Programme that all trainees undergo incorporates a Level 7 Bachelor of Arts Degree in Applied Policing, accredited by the University of Limerick; Garda Trainees will receive an allowance of €354 per week for the 36 weeks of training; Accommodation and food is provided while resident in the Garda College from Sunday to Friday; Starting salary is €38,694 and this rises incrementally; Garda Trainees will be assigned to work the core shift roster (12 hours) which attracts additional allowances; Gardaí will have the opportunity to work on overtime which is paid at a rate of time and a half, unless working on a Sunday/public holiday which is paid at double time; Access to the Doctors of Choice GP scheme (GP consultation fee is covered by An Garda Síochána); Access to the Medical Aid Scheme; and Access to Garda Credit Unions.

Recruit classes are now entering the Garda College every 11 to 12 weeks.

The next attestation of Probationer Gardaí and intake of Garda Trainees to the Garda College will take place in November 2025.

Candidates applying for An Garda Síochána through this campaign are anticipated to start training through various Garda Recruit classes in 2026.

Interested applicants have until closing date October 9 to apply. Visit https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/garda-trainee for more information and to submit your application