If you’ve been thinking about joining the guards, then 2016 could be your year

The recruitment drive starts soon.

An Garda Síochána is expanding its force as it's been confirmed they'll hire 600 new recruits next year. The recruitment campaign was officially launched today and the new candidates are expected to begin at the Garda College in Templemore from the middle of 2016. The competition for the positions is expected to be fierce after 24,000 people applied for just 300 jobs back in 2013. In other words, make sure your CV is up to scratch. According to the Irish Independent, Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan said today, "We've always attracted way more applicants than available positions." "We want to build on that, attracting people from every strand of Irish life to help us renew our culture while retaining our best traditions." You can apply to join An Garda Síochána on the website publicjobs.ie and the closing date for applications is  January 5, 2016.