Katie Mellett

Oct 6, 2024 | irishtimes.com | Conor Capplis |Katie Mellett

As recruiters seek to broaden the appeal of a life in the Defence Forces, Irish Times journalists Conor Capplis and Katie Mellett decided to try some of that each applicant needs to complete. The full selection process involves an entry medical; fitness test; online psychometric test; recruitment interview and attestation. Here is how they got on:Last year I attempted the Garda Fitness Test and failed. (Feckin press-ups.) The year before, I failed to finish an ultra-marathon in the Pyrenees.

Aug 28, 2024 | irishtimes.com | Katie Mellett

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Jul 21, 2024 | irishtimes.com | Katie Mellett

With my right hand across my chest holding my life jacket in place and my left hand plugging my nose, I stepped off the ledge and plunged into the 2.8 metre-deep sea survival training pool. The water is 20 degrees – a little warmer than what you’d experience in the open waters, but a good deal colder than a public swimming pool.

Jul 9, 2024 | irishtimes.com | Katie Mellett

Powerscourt Estate has replaced up to 80 per cent of its box plants in an attempt to prevent an invasion of box tree moths, according to head gardener Alex Slazenger. Gardeners at the Powerscourt Estate have not recorded the box tree moth or its destructive caterpillar form on their site but describe it as “inevitable” due to climate change. The box tree moth originates from east Asia but was first found on mainland Europe in 2007 and was first found in Ireland in 2017.

Jun 21, 2024 | irishtimes.com | Katie Mellett

An Garda Síochána has introduced a new vehicle as part of its roads policing fleet, a Volkswagen Golf that is being used by the force to promote safety messages among young drivers. Supt Liam Geraghty from the Garda Press Office explained that the force wanted to come up with a way to engage with different groups such as young male drivers, car enthusiasts and motorsport enthusiasts.