Garda chiefs made Assistant Commissioners

TWO garda chiefs in Munster have been promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner by the government.

Chief Supt Gerry Kelly, Limerick, and Chief Supt Ray McAndrew, Anglesea St, Cork, will take up their positions next week.

Chief Supt Kelly has led the successful fight against Limerick’s feuding gangs.

The Limerick Garda Division, under the leadership of Chief Supt Kelly, has the most successful serious crime detection rate in the country over the past four years.

Chief Supt Kelly has spearheaded all the major crime investigations in the city since 2000 and more than 50 serious Limerick criminals are now serving long sentences for feud-related crimes.

Chief Supt Kelly drew up Operation Oilean to combat gang-related crime.

He has regularly deployed specialist teams from garda headquarters in the city to back up Limerick gardaí.

Chief Supt Kelly was the first garda to be promoted to the rank of sergeant after the force moved into the Henry Street headquarters.

It is not known what responsibility he will be given as Assistant Commissioner.

The Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Michael Hourigan, yesterday paid tribute Chief Supt Kelly.

“Chief Supt Gerry Kelly has always had an open door to the city council and anytime we wanted to discuss issues with him, he was available,” he said. “This promotion is a tribute to the leadership he has given the gardaí in Limerick and the successes they have achieved.”