Justice Minister makes three policing appointments

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has announced three key appointments in policing.

The Government has extended the term of the Garda Commissioner, Fachtna Murphy for a further year.

He will now serve until 2010.

Kathleen O' Toole has also been reappointed as Chief Inspector of the Garda Inspectorate for a further term of two years.

Dermot Gallagher has been nominated for appointment by the President as Chairperson of the Garda Ombudsman Commission.

He was formerly the General Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.