Garda recruitment: the parent - Longford based Garda Joanna Klutkowska

Garda Recruitment Drive: If you've ever envisioned yourself wearing the famous blue uniform, you have until 3pm tomorrow, Thursday, Oct 9, to take the first step towards making it happen. Don't forget, the age limit for applicants has increased, so anyone between the ages of 18-50 can now apply. 

While studying, Garda students will receive a weekly wage of €354 in addition to free accommodation and food while training in Templemore College. Once qualified, they will be on a starting salary of €38,694. To apply, please visit www.publicjobs.ie  

The parent: Garda Joanna Klutkowska

“I’m from Poland and I came to Ireland when I was 19 just to take a break from college, and now 18 years later, I’m still here!
When I came here first, I was an au pair in a guards house so I think that seeded the idea, because I was meeting the guards from the other side, as people I was living with. It was always the back of my head.

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I had a baby when I was really young so I was focusing on my family and then in 2019 I applied but I wasn’t successful. Then we had COVID so it was after that, in 2022, when I decided to apply one more time.

I went for it because my 35th birthday was coming up and because the age limit was still in place, it was my last chance to apply. Fortunately, my application was successful and I got in.

I was in shock when I realised I had been accepted. At the start, I wasn’t really sure if I should apply, mainly because of my age and other things, but I said I would give it a go and try because I knew I would definitely regret it if I didn’t.
It was hard to go back to college after so many years of being away from it.

Especially with having a family, and being such a family person, having to be away from home during the week while training was challenging at first.

The college part was fine, it was being out of the home that I found a bit difficult but my husband and son were very supportive.

Longford is my first station. I was here as a student, same as what Mark is now doing, and then when I qualified, I was stationed in Longford. I began work here last April, the same day as my colleague Garda Keith Dunleavy."

What would you say to someone who is thinking of applying, but is hesitant due to parental responsibilities:
"I had great support from my son and my husband, and that's what made this possible. It was them pushing me out of the house and encouraging me.

If they hadn’t supported me, it would have been much harder.

It's definitely doable though. If joining the Gardaí has been in your head, or if it has even crossed your mind, then I would definitely say you should apply. Just give it a go. You have nothing to lose.”

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