Clancy makes history with garda post

HISTORY was made yesterday with the appointment of a woman as a garda assistant commissioner.

Catherine Clancy, a Garda sergeant's daughter from Donegal, was one of two assistant commissioners named by Justice Minister Michael McDowell following Cabinet approval.

The 49-year-old, tipped to be the first female commissioner, is currently chief superintendent in the Donegal division. She moved there in the wake of the controversy that led to the setting up of the Morris Tribunal which is probing to activities of some gardaí in the north-west.

Her new post is not yet confirmed but two positions are vacant in the eastern and northern regions following the retirement of Pat O'Toole and the promotion to deputy commissioner of Fachtna Murphy. Noel Smith, chief superintendent in Crumlin, was also promoted yesterday.

Assistant commissioner Clancy joined the gardaí in 1975, replying to an advertisement for recruits while studying at a Dublin catering college. After four years in Naas she was made a detective and appointed to the old murder squad, where she spent eight years.

With the team she "learned everything you can possibly learn about investigating how to organise a search team, how to run an office, how to write a report, talk to prisoners, how to deal with victims," she said.

She also spent time in her native Donegal, in Cambodia on UN duty,

at Garda headquarters in community relations and in Dungarvan, Co Waterford. In 1996, she was appointed superintendent and given charge of the busy Lucan area of west Dublin. In 1999, she returned to Donegal and for the past four years has been based in Letterkenny.

Noel Smith, 58, from Cavan, joined the gardaí in 1964 and has served in various parts of the country as well as Garda headquarters.

Ex-special branch, he also served in Yugoslavia on UN duty. He was promoted to chief superintendent in 1996 and was latterly in charge of Dublin Metropolitan South Division.