Government criticised over Garda watchdog appointment
The ICCL also questioned the lack of transparency in the appointment process to the powerful watchdog.
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern yesterday announced Dermot Gallagher as the new chairman of GSOC, replacing Justice Kevin Haugh, who died last week.
“The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) was deeply saddened by the untimely death of the distinguished judge, Mr Justice Kevin Haugh, the former chairperson of the Garda Ombudsman Commission,” said director Mark Kelly.
“Judge Haugh had, however, signalled his intention to step down from his GSOC role many months ago, and it is very disappointing that the Government has chosen to fill this post with a retired public servant, without the open and transparent recruitment process which should accompany any appointment to a body charged with the independent scrutiny of the conduct of agents of the state.”
Mr Gallagher only retired as secretary general to the Department of Foreign Affairs last month. During his term of office (2001-2007), he worked under Mr Ahern when he was foreign affairs minister.
He will be chairman of a three-person commission, joining former Irish Times editor Conor Brady and former director of Consumer Affairs Carmel Foley.
Mr Ahern said: “In selecting Dermot Gallagher for the post, the Government has chosen someone with a long track record of distinguished service to the state at the highest level, not only in the field of foreign affairs but also in the Department of the Taoiseach.
“I worked with Dermot during my tenure as minister for foreign affairs and I know at first-hand his very considerable abilities and qualities.”
In two other appointments, the Government extended the term of Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy for a further year and re-appointed Kathleen O’Toole as chief inspector of An Garda Síochána Inspectorate. Mr Murphy was due to step down in November 2009, but will now serve until 2010.
