Four candidates for the deputy garda commissioner job have undergone a second and final interview despite ongoing concerns by three of the applicants over a pension tax dispute.
The understands there is a push to fill the position “as soon as possible”, given that it has been vacant since March.
There are also concerns at the “tight time period” available to organise a successor to Drew Harris — who is expected to leave by next May.
The first interview was held on October 7 and, despite indications that there might be no applications from career-gardaí because of the tax dispute, three internal candidates applied.
They were assistant commissioners Angela Willis, Dublin Metropolitan Region, Justin Kelly, Organised and Serious Crime, and Clíona Richardson, North West Region.
The fourth applicant was assistant commissioner John Roberts, Governance and Accountability, who joined from the PSNI two years ago.
All four candidates took part in the second, and final, interview, on Monday.
While it is not confirmed, it is thought that there have been no external candidates from other jurisdictions.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris sits on the interview panel and is expected to have the determining view on who should be recommended to the Government for appointment.
It is understood the interview panel — which is chaired by Policing Authority chair Elaine Byrne — will act speedily on their recommendation. Whether they will have a recommendation ready for next week’s cabinet is unclear.
High level sources expect the person to be appointed within weeks.
The job has been vacant since Ann-Marie McMahon retired last March.
