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When I completed the Myers Brigg personality type I got the results of ISFP.

ISFPs are often described as:

Sensitive and empathetic: You tend to be caring, kind, and considerate, with a strong sense of empathy for others.

Creative and artistic: You are often drawn to artistic pursuits or activities that allow for personal expression, such as painting, music, or writing.

Independent: You value your autonomy and prefer to make decisions for yourself without too much influence from others.

Loyal and compassionate: Although you are introverted and may keep a small circle, you are deeply loyal to those you care about.

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When I completed the career anchor personality questionnaire. I scored the highest in creativity, general management and lifestyle.

Together, these results suggest that you are someone who thrives in environments that challenge your creativity and problem-solving skills, but also one who values balance and may prefer to work in a way that gives you freedom and autonomy. You likely appreciate both leadership roles and the chance to express yourself in your work. You might be drawn to positions where you can lead innovative projects or manage creative teams while still maintaining a healthy balance in your personal life.

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[Labhaoise Mansfield]

Clogherclemin Chute hall,

Tralee Co. Kerry

0874579896

mansfieldlabhaoise@gmail.com

7/2/2025

An Garda Síochana Headquarters

Phoenix Park, Dublin 8

D08 HN3X

087 1666 0000

Dear:

Hello, My name is Labhaoise Mansfield.

I’m currently completing a PLC pre garda studies course here in Kerry college Tralee, this course duration is for year and I’ve 4 months left. I’m currently working through 9 modules which are part of the course, these include:

Criminal law

Criminology

PPD

Business law

Conflict resolution

Exercise and fitness

Communications

Word processing

Legal practice and procedures

This course is a very helpful one as it is well preparing me for the guards and the learning outcomes from each module, I’ve been able to put towards my application.

From a young age, I have always aspired to become a guard, and I believe I would excel in this role. I am highly observant and always aware of my surroundings, allowing me to quickly identify and address potential issues. I am also a strong problem solver, capable of making quick and effective decisions under pressure. Additionally, I am well-organized and prepared to respond swiftly in emergencies. Maintaining and improving my physical fitness is also a priority for me, ensuring that I can meet the physical demands of the job. My strong sense of responsibility and commitment to safety make me a reliable candidate for this position. Furthermore, my ability to remain calm in high-pressure situations would allow me to handle conflicts professionally and efficiently. I personally think the role of a guard is a very cool and rewarding job as you are able to help people and you become more aware of what’s part of the law and what isn’t and how you can help to improve the country.

Sincerely,

Labhaoise Mansfield

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Aiden O' Mahoney

Darragh Horgan

Donal Horgan

Alban Stack

Mary Gardiner

Jackie Murphy

From the above guest speakers, they were very different from each other and have impacted on my knowledge on the Gaurds and how from hearing some of their own personal experiences shows me a better understanding and outlook for the job of a Gaurd.

As I started off with this course back in September i had a vast understanding of the Gaurds, and now after being able to learn from both inside the classroom and outside of it, including the above guest speakers, it has helped me a lot with m career choice and to confirm that it was the right choice for me as an individual and how I will enjoy it and have it as a benefit to me in the future.

Personally Aiden O' Mahoney was a very helpful in my decision making process to choose the Guards as a career path for me, as from listening to his own in-tale pf the Gaurds and his time in Templemore years ago, and all the learning from it helped him shape his knowledge and become a Gaurd. The way he presented himself as an individual and his confidence when speaking in front of myself and my peers and all the different little things he told us that would be key to have when in the process of wanting to become a Gaurd in the future.

The court visit back in February also gave me a better understanding of the way the Gaurds have to work inside the courtroom, weather giving evidence or a summary of the case depending if serve or not and the different aspects of learning that we encountered that we experienced from an out of class lesson.

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Opportunities:

1.Personal Growth & Confidence Building – Training and real-world experience will push you out of your comfort zone, helping you build resilience, discipline, and leadership skills.

2.Making Lifelong Connections –

You’ll meet new people, including fellow recruits, trainers, and future colleagues, forming strong bonds and a support network.

3.Job Security & Career Progression –

A career in An Garda Síochána offers stability, good wages, and the potential to advance into specialized roles like detective work, community policing, or forensics.

4.Contributing to Society –

You’ll play a direct role in keeping communities safe, making a positive impact on people’s lives, which can be deeply rewarding.

5.Self-Discovery & Adaptability –

Living away from home and facing new challenges will teach you more about yourself, improve your independence, and strengthen your ability to adapt to different situations.

Challenges:

1.Financial Struggles –

Managing expenses, especially if placed in high-cost areas like Dublin, could be tough initially until your salary increases with experience.

2.Homesickness & Loneliness –

Being away from family, especially your parents and siblings, might be difficult at first, requiring emotional adjustment.

3.Challenging Recruitment & Training Process –

The physical, mental, and academic demands of Garda training will push you to your limits, requiring dedication and resilience.

4.Work-Life Balance & Stress –

The shift-based nature of Garda work, along with exposure to stressful or traumatic situations, can impact personal time and well-being.

5.Public Perception & Pressure –

You may face criticism or negative public attitudes towards law enforcement at times, which could be mentally challenging.

Challenges to Mitigate:

1.Budgeting for living costs.

2.Dealing with homesickness.

3.Managing stress from training and work.

4.Balancing shift work and personal life.

5.Handling public criticism.

Opportunities to Leverage:

1.Gaining confidence and independence.

2.Building strong friendships and networks.

3.Growing your career in the Garda.

4.Making a positive impact in the community.

5.Learning valuable life skills.

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My own personal talents and achievements include:

My talents would be creativity and writing skills, as I love to write about my thoughts and ideas that I have in my own diary at home and this helps me reflect.

Good at sports, as I love to play camogie and football at home with my sisters. It's very enjoyable as it lets us bond more together.

Playing the accordion, I only started playing a few months ago, but as of now I love playing it and I love learning new songs every week.

My achievements would include, completing and passing my leaving cert in 2024.

Becoming a member of the Student council in my secondary school. This helped me a lot with my confidence and completing tasks with other members and working well as a team.

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Templemore Garda College in County Tipperary is Ireland’s main training Centre for future police officers. Since 1964, it has been where recruits learn the skills needed to become a Garda. Trainees study for a Level 7 degree in Applied Policing, awarded by the University of Limerick. Training is split into three stages and uses real-life problem-solving to prepare Gardaí for the job.

During the initial phase, trainees reside on campus in basic but comfortable rooms equipped with essentials like a bed, desk, wardrobe, and sink. Meals are provided in the college dining facilities.

A typical day would look like at Templemore Garda College:

Morning Routine
The day starts early, around 6:00 AM, with physical training like fitness drills, marching, or self-defense. After breakfast, recruits attend classroom sessions on topics like law, policing, and the Irish language. The college uses a problem-based learning approach, helping trainees learn through real-world examples.

Afternoon Schedule
In the afternoon, recruits take part in hands-on training. This includes role-playing real policing scenarios in mock Garda stations or courtrooms. They also learn specialist skills like handling public order or using firearms in a safe, controlled setting.

Evening Activities
Evenings are quieter, with time for studying, working out, or relaxing. Recruits have access to facilities like a gym, pool, and sports fields. Many also join clubs and social groups. Lights go out by 11:00 PM to make sure everyone gets enough rest.

Living at the College
Trainees live on-site in shared rooms and get free meals. Living at the college helps build teamwork and discipline.

After about ten weeks, many trainees move off-campus to live with local families or in shared housing. This helps them adjust to real-life policing while continuing their training.

Programe Structure:

Approximately 104 weeks (about two years)
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts in Applied Policing (Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications)

Phases:

1. Phase 1 : 34 weeks of residential training at the Garda College, including classroom-based learning and physical training.

2. Phase 2: Work-based learning in a Garda station, applying knowledge in real-world settings.

3. Phase 3: Continued work-based learning with ongoing assessments and evaluations.​

Throughout the programme, recruits engage in scenario-based learning, focusing on areas such as legislation, Garda policy, community policing, and self-defence.

To be eligible for the Garda College training program, candidates must:

Be at least 18 years old and not older than 55 years at the time of application.

Hold a Leaving Certificate or equivalent qualification.

Have a valid driving license.

Pass a comprehensive recruitment process, including physical and medical assessments, interviews, and background checks.

Demonstrate attributes such as resilience, dedication, physical and mental fitness, strong ethical values, and commitment. ​

Garda pay in 2025:

• Trainee Pay: While training at the Garda College (about 36 weeks), trainees get €354 per week. Meals and accommodation are included.

• Starting Salary: After training, a new Garda earns €37,311 per year.

• Salary Increases: The salary goes up over time, reaching €57,591 after 13 years.

• Extra Pay: Gardaí working night shifts or weekends get extra allowances, and overtime is paid at higher rates.

Gardaí get more than just a salary — the job comes with generous benefits. They receive nearly 30 days of paid leave each year, including public holidays. Healthcare supports include free GP visits and help with medical costs. Members can also join clubs, societies, and the Garda Credit Union for financial and social support.

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From the above assessment I completed to indicate which learning style was best for me these are my results:

I would agree with the above results as they help with my learning journey to becoming one step closer to joining Templemore Garda College.

This learning style assessment helped me figure out which style is suited best for me and now I can show that for example when listening to my peers or when communicating with the public on duty and how I will be able to understand better and to relapse the information better and be able to write it down to be able to understand it aswell.

Other course activities done throughout the year, such as our visits to Limerick prison and Tralee Garda station, these both helped me able to higher my listening capability and how i was able to read information about different parts and able to visualize with pictures and real life images.

All of these different activities I have done have helped me shape my decision making process on hoping to develop my keen interest in becoming a Gaurd in the future, as I've always have had an eager enjoyment of hearing all about the Gaurds and what the job in-tales.

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Date of Activity/Event: April 2nd 2025

Title/Type of Activity: Limerick Prison

Description:

We arrived in limerick around 11.30am and we waited in the waiting room for approximately an hour and then our tour guide for the day Matty arrived, he showed us around and different aspects of the prison, like some of the weapons the prisoners' were able to make with loose items around their cells, he showed us where the people go and stay the night if arrested and the clothes they wear. along the way we saw some other facilities such as the gym and yard outside. Lastly we were escorted to a prisoner to ask him some questions about his time in prison and got to learn about the crime he committed and the punishment he is now dealing with, which was life imprisonment for murdering his neighbor.

Initial reaction: Would have to be 100 percent intimidating and scary, as you are very isolated throughout the entire prison and the environment makes it feel a lot more dark, compared to the outside world and knowing the prisoners who are in their are dangerous as they have committed an awful crime in the outside world.

Analysis: From this experience I have grasped a lot of helpful knowledge about Limerick prison which will help me in the future with the Garda process. The material shown in Limerick prison connects to my course modules very well , such as criminal law and the different laws and regulations surrounding each crime and conflict resolution, as arguments are usually broken out between prisoners and how resolve these disputes.

This relates to a role of Garda, as I will have to be able deal with different scenarios that could happen between prisoners' and how as I previously said disputes and arguments.

Personal Development:

Strengths that were showcased within this activity were a deeper level of knowledge of Limerick prison round and explaining with deep knowledge of how Limerick prison is ran day to day and the different aspects of it.

Challenges faced was that really understanding that these people in here actually did these horrific crimes and how most of them are here for the rest of their lives.

This activity related to my learning style as their was a lot of listening involved, as we had our tour guide Matty showing us around.

Professional Relevance:

This experience massively relates to my career aspirations, as I hope to be a Gaurd in the near future, as I got to deepen my knowledge and understanding of how the prison works and what is done to the prisoners' to ensure the public is now safe. This is a key part of the Garda role as I will be the one arresting them for the crime committed and will be giving the consequences whether charged and imprisonment or other punishments.

What skills or knowledge gained will be useful in Garda work?

Skills gained would include listening and reforming every little detail said and

Action Plan:

What further learning do you need in this area? How will you apply this learning in future situations

Next time I would 100 percent try and have more time for the tour, as ours was cut short for other reasons, as I did feel like we didn't get the full landing of information and we missed out on a little bit more.

Date of Activity/Event: 9th of April

Title/Type of Activity: Visit to Tralee Garda Station

Description: Myself and my classmates were brought down the Tralee Garda station for the day to be given a tour by Patricia Fitzpatrick a current Gaurd here at Tralee Garda station and she gave us a detailed account the day to day working of the station.

Initial Reaction:

My initial reaction right after this tour was that it was very similar to how I thought it would be, like a very calm and quiet setting during the day and then more hectic at night told to us by Patricia. As there would be a lot more arrests towards the evening time, people who will just be usually questioned for the night.

Analysis: I learnt a lot more then I thought I would from this experience, as we were shown around in great detail of the working of the station, for example we were shown security cameras all around Tralee. We were showed the sleeping conditions that people have to sleep in when arrested, the cell was a box shape, with a small hole in the comer for a toilet, a bed with a blanket and there wasn't even a pillow for them.

This tour connects to the course material taught within this course as conflict resolution could be seen when the person arrested , might be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and may become very aggressive.

This tour gave a massive relation to the role of a Gaurd, as we saw what there job is like, the uniform they wear when on shift and the cars they use when arresting someone.

Personal Development: Strengths that was demonstrated during this activity were my communicating well with both the other Gaurds around aswell as Garda Patricia Fitzpatrick by asking questions.

During this activity I didn't find anything challenging

This relates to my learning style, similar to above how I had to listen clearly to Garda Patricia Fitzpatrick, and to be able to understand the language these use between each other along with the people they are dealing with during interview processes when asking questions to be able to charge them or not.

Professional Relevance:

This experience relates to my career aspirations as we were shown a vast amount of the station, and what the Gaurds do on a day to day base, and how would they go about things. What punishments will individuals be given depending on what crime committed. It shows how life would be after the time we will be giving in Templemore.

Skills I gained from this experience was listening and communicating by asking lots of different questions to gain more knowledge of the day to day working structure of a Gaurd.

Action Plan: I think we got a very good detailed tour of the Guard station, but I do think like the above diary, more time as there was a few more aspects we didn't get to see around the station.

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Date of Activity/Event: 9th of April

Title/Type of Activity: Visit to Tralee Garda Station

Description: Myself and my classmates were brought down the Tralee Garda station for the day to be given a tour by Patricia Fitzpatrick a current Gaurd here at Tralee Garda station and she gave us a detailed account the day to day working of the station.

Initial Reaction:

My initial reaction right after this tour was that it was very similar to how I thought it would be, like a very calm and quiet setting during the day and then more hectic at night told to us by Patricia. As there would be a lot more arrests towards the evening time, people who will just be usually questioned for the night.

Analysis: I learnt a lot more then I thought I would from this experience, as we were shown around in great detail of the working of the station, for example we were shown security cameras all around Tralee. We were showed the sleeping conditions that people have to sleep in when arrested, the cell was a box shape, with a small hole in the comer for a toilet, a bed with a blanket and there wasn't even a pillow for them.

This tour connects to the course material taught within this course as conflict resolution could be seen when the person arrested , might be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and may become very aggressive.

This tour gave a massive relation to the role of a Gaurd, as we saw what there job is like, the uniform they wear when on shift and the cars they use when arresting someone.

Personal Development: Strengths that was demonstrated during this activity were my communicating well with both the other Gaurds around aswell as Garda Patricia Fitzpatrick by asking questions.

During this activity I didn't find anything challenging

This relates to my learning style, similar to above how I had to listen clearly to Garda Patricia Fitzpatrick, and to be able to understand the language these use between each other along with the people they are dealing with during interview processes when asking questions to be able to charge them or not.

Professional Relevance:

This experience relates to my career aspirations as we were shown a vast amount of the station, and what the Gaurds do on a day to day base, and how would they go about things. What punishments will individuals be given depending on what crime committed. It shows how life would be after the time we will be giving in Templemore.

Skills I gained from this experience was listening and communicating by asking lots of different questions to gain more knowledge of the day to day working structure of a Gaurd.

Action Plan: I received a very good detailed tour of the Guard station, but I do think like the above diary, more time as there was a few more aspects we didn't get to see around the station.

I would practice becoming more comfortable when asking different questions to receive more knowledge and to observe more about the day to day life of a working Gaurd, like different things they would be doing such as paper work, reviewing a case or on duty around the streets.

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Date of Activity/Event: October 2024

Title/Type of Activity: Role play for conflict resolution

Description: These role plays were part of our conflict resolution module with my teacher Yvonne. We had to form groups of 3 and 4 and present a scene of acting which included the main feature of conflict and arguing between each other, while Yvonne was filming which was then added to our assignment as part of secondary research.

Initial Reaction: After each scene we did I felt good as doing these helped build my confidence and being able to watch the videos back made me realize that I am able to put myself out there and confidentially act in situations including groups.

Analysis: I learnt that my confidence was built from practicing so many different scenarios of conflict and being able to communicate with my group and work well as a team together.

This connects to my course material as I was able to fill out my assignment now and relate it back to the conflict

This activity hugely relates to the role of a Garda, as on duty on the streets you will come across so many different situations of violence and conflict between individuals as many of them may become more aggressive as they are under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Personal Development: Strengths I have achieved during this activity was that I learned how to work well with others.

Challenges faced when completing the scenarios was actually thinking of different ones to do and making sure they were all different from one and other.

This activity relates to my learning style as I was able to listen to other groups perform there scenarios and take inspiration from them to build on my ones with my own group. I was also able to communicate.

Professional Relevance:

This experience relates to my career aspirations a lot as the conflict will happen in everyday life as a Gaurd, on duty and off duty, around the streets. And as a Gaurd it would be my duty to be able to resolve this conflict between thee individuals and be able to help the community and for it to become a safer place for all.

Skills developed during this activity were communication and Problem-solving being able to find fair and practical solutions that work for everyone involved and negotiation reaching compromises and agreements that satisfy different interests. These would relate to the Gaurds as these skills would be used in everyday shifts as you would have to be dealing with the public and many can become aggressive.

Action Plan: I would think of other ideas to use and listen more actively Instead of interrupting or thinking about my next point, really focus on understanding the other person’s words and feelings and Stay calm keep my emotions under control, even when I feel upset.