Who is the new Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly?
The Department of Justice have announced that Justin Kelly will replace Drew Harris as Garda Commissioner.
Mr Kelly replaced Mr Harris on Tuesday (July 29), with Mr Harris set to retire as Commissioner after seven years.
WHO IS JUSTIN KELLY?
Justin Kelly has been announced as the new Garda Commissioner. Pic: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
With over 30 years’ experience and most recently serving as Deputy Commissioner of the Gardaí under Mr Harris, Justin Kelly has over three decades’ experience in policing.
He worked as Assistant Commissioner in Serious and Organised Crime, where he 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 a number of areas connected with serious crime investigations, and was the Detective Chief Superintendent in the Counter Terrorism Unit, the Special Detective Unit.
Mr Kelly has over three decades of experience, and previously served as the Deputy Commissioner under Drew Harris, who announced his retirement this year. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos
As well as this, he served as Detective Superintendent, Garda National Protective Services Bureau, as well as a Detective Inspector, Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, and a frontline Inspector in the Blanchardstown and Clondalkin areas of Dublin.
Welcoming Mr Kelly to the role, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said: ‘I am very pleased that the Government has today accepted my recommendation to appoint Justin Kelly, who is currently serving as deputy commissioner, security, strategy and governance, as commissioner of An Garda Síochana following an open competition conducted by publicjobs.
‘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.’
Justin Kelly. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos
‘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 Síochana, including national security, domestic and sexual violence, and organised crime,’ he added.
‘I know Justin is fully committed to providing a high visibility, highly trusted policing service to the public.’
DREW HARRIS
Meanwhile, Mr Harris also congratulated Mr Kelly on the role.
He said: ‘Justin is 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 added: ‘I look forward to working with Justin in the weeks leading up to him becoming Garda Commissioner in September 2025.
‘Personally, I want to wish him and his family all the best in him leading this great organisation and continuing its mission of keeping people safe.’
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