Murphy to step down as Garda boss
There had been suggestions the 63-year-old might receive a third extension from the Government.
He had been originally due to retire in June 2007, on reaching the official retirement age of 60. His term was extended by the Government for two years to allow him take over from then commissioner Noel Conroy in November 2007.
His term was extended again in February 2009 for another two years.
Mr Murphy made the announcement at the end of a two-day management conference at the Garda College in Templemore yesterday. He will stay on until December 31.
A native of Timoleague, Mr Murphy has been in the force for 43 years, having joined in 1967.
Married with four children, he was the first head of the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and was later deputy commissioner in charge of operations.
The Garda Commissioner job is not advertised and the appointment is made by the Government, on recommendation by the Minister for Justice, based on suggestions from senior department officials.
The current deputy commissioner of operations, Martin Callinan, is considered the front-runner. Born in 1953, and a native of Dublin, he has been in the force since 1973. He would be due to retire in three years. He has headed units combating organised crime and terrorism.
Deputy Commissioner Nacie Rice, in charge of Strategy & Change Management, is another candidate. The Mayo man joined in 1972 and has led organised crime and anti-terrorism units.
The 12 assistant commissioners will also be considered, including top candidates like John O’Mahoney, now based in the Western Region and formerly of the CAB, and Noreen O’Sullivan, head of Crime and Security and the most senior woman in the force.
Sources said it was highly unlikely the Government will go for an outside appointment. This is all the more so given the budget cuts looming and the state of morale in the force.
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