Just how tough is the Garda fitness test? Our reporter finds out

AHEAD of the closing date of the 2024 Garda recruitment drive, ‘The Echo’ was invited to take part in the pre-entry Garda fitness test.

Fianna Fáil’s justice spokesperson Jim O’Callaghan who, in 2023, completed and passed the pre-entry garda fitness test, previously said that the test was “too demanding”.

I failed the test — but I disagree.

Based on my current fitness level, I am not the kind of person who should be out on the beat, and the test reflected this.

The test consists of three components: A bleep test, a muscular endurance test, and an obstacle course.

The first and second sections are based on the age and gender of the applicant, with males and younger trainees requiring a higher level of fitness.

As a 24-year-old female, I was required to reach level 7.6 across the board.

During the muscle endurance test, I was required to complete 30 consecutive sit-ups in 60 seconds, followed by 20 push-ups — which I passed.

As someone who has never taken part in any sports, I was only a few levels off my required target for the bleep test.

For those who regularly play sports, I am sure that the 7.6 target would be easier to attain.

For example, garda recruit Sinéad Roche — who addressed the media — was also aged 24 and reported that she had no problem completing the bleep test component.

The highest score of all during the media day was achieved by Sgt Seán Mac Seoin, of the Garda Press Office, aged 51.

Following a short break, applicants are then required to take part in the obstacle course.

The deceptively hard circuit consisted of scaling gates, ducking under low beams, running up stairs, carrying a tyre, and dragging a weighted mannequin between two points.

All of this has to be completed three times in under three minutes and 20 seconds.

The obstacle course has been well designed to mimic real-life scenarios, with Garda Press Office spokesman Liam Geraghty saying: “You could be walking on the beach and be asked to help change a spare tyre.

“You could be asked to lift somebody off the ground.

“You will maybe have to chase somebody and climb over a wall or a gate.”

About 30% of those who do the test fail it.

However, Sgt Pat Kirwan, fitness trainer at the Garda College, also explained that potential applicants are aware of the physical requirements needed for the assessment ahead of time and that those being recruited now will have until the summer to train.

Therefore, potential recruits have five months to get in shape, whereas the likes of myself and my fellow journalists had a few days.

“I appreciate that a basic level of fitness is a prerequisite for a garda, but I believe the current test may be disqualifying those who have difficulty completing a strenuous obstacle course,” Mr O’Callaghan said previously.

After taking part in the garda fitness test, I believe this is rightly so.

At 24, I failed the test, while a 51-year-old ran circles around me.

The fitness test is not inhibiting recruitment of gardaí, it is merely making sure that the right people are selected to protect our communities.

You can apply to join An Garda Síochána until 3pm today at publicjobs.ie.