Gardaí could be without boss until 2019; Flanagan warned over filling post while review is under way

The appointment of the next Garda commissioner may not happen until 2019 after a dramatic intervention by the Policing Commission.

Commission chairwoman Kathleen O’Toole has written to Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan telling him it would be a “serious mistake” to proceed with the selection of a new commissioner until the expert group has produced its report.

She said the commission believed the selection process “should begin only” after they reported — saying it would be unrealistic to expect “credible candidates” to apply in the absence of clarity as to the job.