Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan awarded merit medals to three gardaí who graduated yesterday from the Garda College, Templemore, Co Tipperary.
The Gary Sheehan Medal, for the best all-round performance during training, has been awarded to Garda Patrick Ahern. Mr Ahern is a married father of one from Southhill, Limerick city. He is currently based at Thurles Garda station, Co Tipperary.
Garda Robert Zambra, Rialto, Dublin, was awarded the Commissioner's Medal, having achieved the highest aggregate academic scores during training.
Currently stationed at Clondalkin Garda station, he was a member of the Defence Forces for nine years before joining An Garda Síochána in 2006.
Garda Keith White, Drogheda, Co Louth, was awarded the Templemore Town Council medal for distinction in the social and psychological studies course at the Garda College. An arts graduate from NUI, Galway, he is an experienced youth worker.
The 239 gardaí who graduated yesterday are the latest class to complete their training under the accelerated Garda recruitment campaign.