War of words over future of Templemore Garda College as TDs share contrasting views

A political dispute has emerged in Tipperary over the future of the Garda Training College in Templemore, with two local TDs offering contrasting interpretations of recent Government decisions and what they mean for the long term security of the college.

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Labour TD Alan Kelly has warned that there is still no certainty about the future of Garda training in Templemore, despite confirmation that the Office of Public Works has gone to tender for upgrades to training facilities at the college.

While welcoming the investment, Deputy Kelly said the Government has not ruled out the establishment of additional Garda training facilities outside the town.

His concerns relate to the Cross-Government Garda Síochána Recruitment Training Capacity Group report submitted to the Minister for Justice in September 2025.

The report recommended investment in new classrooms and facilities at Templemore to allow for intakes of up to 250 recruits. However, it also called for a working group to examine the case for a second training college and the role of the tertiary education sector in Garda training. That group is due to report by July 2026.

Until that review is completed, Deputy Kelly said there remains uncertainty over whether some Garda training could be moved away from Templemore.

He warned that any such move would be highly damaging to the town and the wider region and could mark the beginning of a gradual reduction in Templemore’s role as the focal point of Garda training. He also criticised suggestions that training could be relocated to Dublin, arguing that high living costs would deter potential recruits.

Deputy Kelly said the logical solution is to expand training capacity in the Templemore area, pointing to land purchased by An Garda Síochána at Clonmore in 2006 which has yet to be developed. He has called on the Government to give immediate and unambiguous assurances that all Garda training will remain in Templemore.

A different assessment has been offered by TD Michael Lowry, an Independent TD who is part of the current Government arrangement.

Deputy Lowry has confirmed that additional Government funding has been secured for the Garda Training College and described the investment as a decisive commitment to its future.

He said the design of new classrooms and training facilities has been completed and that the OPW is preparing tender documents for what he described as a multi million euro investment.

Deputy Lowry said the funding provides certainty for Templemore and sends a strong signal of confidence in its national role.

Deputy Lowry added that during negotiations to form the current Government he strongly advocated for the college, with an agreement reached that Templemore would continue as the primary training centre for An Garda Síochána. That commitment, he said, is reflected in the Programme for Government.

The additional funding is intended to address capacity constraints and allow more Gardaí to be trained per intake at a time of strong demand to join the force.

For Templemore, the debate underlines the importance of the college not only to national policing needs but also to the economic and social life of the town.

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