The new deputy garda commissioner is Justin Kelly, formerly Assistant Commissioner Organised and Serious Crime.
He fought off stiff competition from three rivals, all assistant commissioners: Angela Willis, Dublin Metropolitan Region; Cliona Richardson, North Western Region and Jonathan Roberts, Governance and Accountability.
Mr Kelly joins Shawna Coxon as the organisation’s two deputy commissioners.
It is not confirmed yet if Mr Kelly has been given the highly-prized Policing and Security brief.
Ms Coxon was moved from her position as Deputy Commissioner, Governance, Strategy and Performance to a renamed role of Deputy Commissioner, Operations following the retirement of Ann-Marie McMahon as
Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security last March.
Ms Coxon’s transfer was thought to be a temporary measure, pending the outcome of the latest competition.
It is the decision of Garda Commissioner Drew Harris as to where he places his two deputies.
Traditionally, the Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security would be the favourite, at least internally, for the commissioner’s position if and when it became vacant.
Mr Harris is due to retire by next May.
Mr Kelly, aged 52 and from Dublin, joined the organisation in 1992.
He was appointed as Assistant Commissioner Organised and Serious Crime in May 2022, taking over from John O’Driscoll, who retired, and only recently passed away.
Organised and Serious Crime covers all the specialist crime bureaus, such as drugs, sexual violence, fraud, cyber, immigration, serious investigations, technical bureau and cold cases.
Mr Kelly carried on the work of Mr O’Driscoll in developing relationships with authorities in the United Arab Emirates in assisting garda efforts to bring the leaders of the Kinahan cartel, resident in Dubai, back to Ireland to face justice.
The first significant development in that effort was the arrest of cartel lieutenant Sean McGovern by Dubai police last week.
Before that, he was Detective Chief Superintendent in the organisation’s operational Counter-Terrorism Unit, the Special Detective Unit.
This experience in the security section of An Garda SÃochána, on top of the policing side, would have assisted him in his bid for the promotion, numerous sources believe.
He was previously Detective Superintendent in the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, as well as a Detective Inspector in the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, and a frontline Inspector in the Blanchardstown and Clondalkin areas of Dublin.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: “I am delighted to congratulate Justin Kelly on his appointment to this vital role. Justin has a strong record of strategic leadership and operational command.
“Over the last two years he has led the fight against organised and serious crime as Assistant Commissioner. In this role, he has led the further development of An Garda SÃochána’s capabilities and international partnerships to tackle drugs and organised crime, cyber and economic crime, as well as prioritising combatting crimes against vulnerable people and responding to the needs of victims.”
The appointment followed an open competition run by Public Jobs on behalf of the Policing Authority.
The Chair of the Policing Authority, Elaine Byrne, said: “I warmly welcome the Government’s decision to appoint Justin Kelly as Deputy Commissioner of An Garda SÃochána following the nomination by the Policing Authority.
“This is a highly significant appointment in Irish public life and coincides with the landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, which will be implemented shortly.
“Justin has come through a challenging selection process that brings together the Government, the Authority and the Public Appointments Service.
Mr Harris said: “I am very pleased to congratulate Justin Kelly on his appointment as Deputy Commissioner.
“Justin brings huge policing experience and knowledge of An Garda SÃochána to the role. He has very significant experience across a range of key leadership roles, notably leading on our fights against drugs and organised crime, economic and cyber-crime and immigration enforcement since his appointment as Assistant Commissioner in 2022.
He added: “A key member of the Senior Leadership Team of An Garda SÃochána, his positive and visible leadership has earned him the respect of colleagues across the organisation.
“I look forward to working with Justin as we continue to deliver a policing service that keeps people safe through a strong bond between An Garda SÃochána and the community.”
