Garda boss search begins next month

The Government is due to initiate the process to select a Garda commissioner in December — contrary to calls from the Policing Commission that the process should wait until it reports next September.

In a dramatic intervention just over a month ago, commission chair Kathleen O’Toole wrote to Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan warning him that it would be a “serious mistake” to proceed with the appointment until her expert group had completed its work.

The US police chief said the selection process “should begin only” after they reported — saying that it would be unrealistic to expect “credible candidates” to apply in the absence of clarity as to the job.