A new Garda facility aims to provide the best educational resources to the men and women who protect the public from criminals.
Plans for a new training centre were outlined at a ceremony at the Garda College in Templemore. Minister for Justice Gerard Collins turned the sod on the site for the first phase of the project. This will see two new residential and education blocks, a new driving school and a closed circuit TV studio.
The new residential units means that all recruits will have their own bedroom and study facilities.
The project will cost five million pounds. The plan is to bring the Gardaí in line with the most professional police forces across Europe and around the world.
Already, a very high standard has been met here at Templemore and in future the Gardaí feel that it will be a lot higher.
Minister Collins explains that while cutbacks are taking place across other departments, the government has decided that investment in the Gardaí is a priority.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 8 June 1989. The reporter is Gerry Reynolds.
