Thousands of Garda vetting applications have been expedited by the Garda national vetting bureau in a bid to get additional staff to the front line as a matter of urgency.

Personnel in the vetting bureau have processed 5,500 applications since 12^th March.

Fórsa official Thomas Cowman praised the hard work and dedication of its employees.

“Civilian staff at the Garda vetting bureau are pulling out all the stops, working exceptionally hard during this difficult time,” he said. “The commitment and drive of the workers must be commended.”