Top ranks set to be revamped

THE top ranks of An Garda Síochána will undergo a large revamp in the coming weeks as eight senior positions are filled.

Nominations for the four positions of assistant commissioner — the third highest rank in the force — are due to be made as early as this week or next.

The Cabinet are then expected to approve the appointments within days.

The four new assistant commissioners will come from the rank of chief superintendent, whose positions will be filled immediately afterwards.

A further two other chief superintendent positions will be filled within a short period.

There is intense competition for the posts of assistant commissioner and about 20 chief superintendents are thought to have applied.

Candidates are interviewed by a combined Garda-civilian board, who forward names to the Cabinet.

Two of the four assistant commissioner positions are due to age-related retirements. One is due to the promotion of Nacie Rice to deputy commissioner rank. The fourth follows the early retirement of Catherine Clancy last month.

The other two positions are those of Martin Donnellan, former head of the National Support Services and Ray McAndrew, in charge of Garda Southern Region.

Among the front runners for the assistant commissioner positions are thought to be chief superintendents Mick Feehan, Dublin north central; Willie Keane, Limerick; John O’Mahony, Criminal Assets Bureau; Kevin Ludlow, Cork city; Fintan Fanning, Dublin south central and Kieran Kenny, Sligo.