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How easy is the beep test? Shane Coleman finds out

The “beep test”, a standard aerobic fitness measure used for prospective firefighters and Gardaí...

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17.20 11 Feb 2026


How easy is the beep test? Shane Coleman finds out


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17.20 11 Feb 2026


The “beep test”, a standard aerobic fitness measure used for prospective firefighters and Gardaí for the last 40 years, has been all over the news in the past few days.

This is after Cork Fire Brigade was ordered to pay €8,000 in compensation to a part-time firefighter aged in her 40s, after a tribunal found the test discriminates against women and advantages younger candidates

But how good a measure of your true fitness, is it?

Shane travelled to Dublin City Centre, where I met with Personal Trainer John Belton to take the test and find out. To further discuss the ‘Beep Test’ Shane was joined by Former Garda inspector in north central Dublin, Former Deputy-Secretary of the AGSI and current Risk, Security & Event Manager of Ashtree Risk Group, Tony Gallagher


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The Hard Shoulder

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