By Roisin Burke

A newly qualified garda, who has left the force due to low wages, took to the airwaves today to talk about his decision.

The young man is one of three new recruits who left the force because they were unable to live on their wages, according to the Garda Representative Association (GRA).

Speaking to George Hook on the Right Hook, the former guard said he decided to speak out about the issue in order to help his colleagues who “aren’t allowed speak out about” the wage problem.

He said he had been looking forward to becoming a guard as it had been a childhood ambition of his, but found himself unable to sustain a living on the wages he was making in the force.

The starting wage was described as €23,000 a year, working out as €303 a week.

During the interview, the man relayed how these wages were not enough to make rent in Dublin as well as covering all his other bills including food.

“I left a good job to join the guards because it's something I always wanted to get into. I got in there and discovered that I was eating into my savings to be able to work in a job. So it was effectively costing me money.”

The man has since returned to the job he had before joining the guards and advises anyone considering joining the guards to have a back up plan.

“Have another option because if it doesn't work out you don't want to get stuck in it”