Specially-commissioned medal will mark the Garda centenary and be presented to serving and retired officers

As part of the centenary celebrations, the force revealed its new operational uniform – only the third in its history.

A huge logistical operation has begun to deliver the new kit to more than 13,000 uniform Sergeant and Inspector ranks across every division including 560 Garda stations nationwide.

The new uniform includes two-tone soft shell jackets, two-tone waterproof jackets, blue polo shirts, new trousers and new base layers.

And it’s the first time the operational uniform, other than the uniform cap, will feature the Garda Crest. 

The centenary marks the date of the meeting called by Republican Michael Collins at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin to establish a police force to replace the Royal Irish Constabulary.

The Civic Guard was formed on 22 February 1922 which became Garda Síochána over a year later. In the North, the Royal Ulster Constabulary was formed – which is also being celebrated with a series of events and commemorations.

The first recruits were to be “single men, at least 5’9” tall and able to pass examinations in arithmetic, reading, and spelling”. 

It wasn’t an easy start for the force with a mutiny and the first fatality taking place just months later. Another 88 officers have been killed since.

Today the force has 14,700 officers and nearly 3,000 staff.

And its partnership work with the Police Service of Northern Ireland has been deepened.

Details were revealed last year on how the two forces are jointly developing AI technology.

And the past two years have also seen senior appointments from PSNI to its top team including top officers and the HR lead – a situation unthinkable at the height of The Troubles.

Commissioner, Drew Harris said, "Over the past century An Garda Síochána has established a very strong bond with communities and has become a central part of people’s everyday lives.

“As an organisation it has adapted to change in order to serve the past and present needs of a national, unarmed police service, while also striving to provide a specialist response to prevent and detect crime.”