The Government has appointed Justin Kelly to the post of Garda Commissioner, succeeding current Commissioner Drew Harris who is set to retire later this year.
Mr Kelly, who is currently serving as Deputy Commissioner, will take up the five-year term, September 1, which can be extended an additional two years, subject to Government approval.
Commissioner Harris will retire at that point, having served seven years as Garda Commissioner.
The position comes with a €314,000 salary, and will see Mr Kelly take charge of an organisation compromising of over 18,000 employees.
Speaking of Mr Kelly’s appointment, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said that the role of Garda Commissioner is “one of the most challenging and impactful leadership positions in Ireland’s public service and the appointment process was suitably rigorous”.
“I am satisfied that Justin Kelly is both qualified and particularly well suited to the role of Commissioner given his extensive leadership experience over the last 30 years in some of the most challenging issues facing An Garda Síochána including national security, domestic and sexual violence, and organised crime.
“I know Justin is fully committed to providing a high visibility, highly trusted policing service to the public in keeping with the Garda mission of Keeping People Safe,” Minister O’Callaghan said.
The recruitment process for the position began in April, and a three-week recruitment campaign was held by publicjobs in May, including an international search for suitable candidates.
“The selection process included two interviews and a presentation by candidates as well as a detailed psychometric assessment,” a spokesperson for the Department said.
Mr Kelly has over 30 years’ experience with An Garda Síochána, having been employed as a Garda in 1992 before being promoted through the ranks of detective; detective superintendent; detective chief superintendent; assistant commissioner, organised and serious crime; and deputy commissioner, security, strategy and governance.
In his previous role, as assistant commissioner, serious and organised Crime, Mr Kelly was responsible for leading the national policing response in areas of drugs and organised crime, cybercrime, economic crime, immigration and crimes against vulnerable persons.
He was also the strategic lead for the development of capacity and organisational policy in areas connected with serious crime investigation.
Commenting on the appointment of his successor, Commissioner Harris said that “Justin has over 30 years’ of dedicated and highly professional service in An Garda Síochána”.
“During this time, he has held many significant portfolios preventing and tackling crime and terrorism. This has included senior roles in the areas of national security, cyber-crime, organised crime, and domestic and sexual violence.
Commissioner Harris described Mr Kelly as an “internationally-recognised police leader who has built coalitions with other law enforcement agencies and partners that have disrupted and dismantled trans-national organised crime gangs”.
“As Deputy Commissioner, Security, Strategy and Governance, Justin has also played a major role in delivering the Operating Model that has delivered benefits for front-line Gardaí, Garda staff, and most importantly, the public.
“Justin’s extensive experience and expertise in leading a wide-range of operational and organisational areas will be of immeasurable benefit to him as Commissioner,” he said.