Outgoing Garda Commissioner Harris lines up picks for top positions
The panel for assistant commissioner marks one of Garda Commissioner Drew Harris' final major decisions before he retires. Picture:Sam Boal/Collins
Mon, 25 Aug, 2025 - 01:00
Cormac O’Keeffe, Security Correspondent
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, who is stepping down at the end of this week, has chosen who will take up positions as prospective bosses within the organisation.
The panel for assistant commissioner — the third-highest rank in the force — marks one of his final major decisions before he retires.
The Irish Examiner understands that the competition for deputy commissioner — stemming from the appointment of Deputy Commissioner Justin Kelly as the new commissioner — is expected to run very soon.
Mr Kelly, current head of Security, Strategy and Governance, starts his five-year term on September 1.
Five applicants — all chief superintendents — entered the final interview stage for assistant commissioner early last week.
They were: Ger Egan (National Bureau of Criminal Investigations); Denis Ferry (Human Resources); Catriona Gunne (Internal Affairs); Alan McGovern (Louth, Cavan, Monaghan Division); and Tony O’Donnell (Dublin South Central Division).
The order of the panel determines who is first, second, and so on, to take up vacancies as they arise. There is currently one vacancy. If an assistant commissioner is promoted to deputy commissioner, it will create a second vacancy.
The order of the assistant commissioner panel is: 1. Chief Supt Gunne; 2. Chief Supt Ferris; 3. Chief Supt McGovern. It is not clear if Chief Supt Egan (4) or Chief Supt O’Donnell (5) are on the panel.
Currently, Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman is doing two jobs — the Eastern Region as well as Roads Policing and Community Engagement.
It is expected that Chief Supt Gunne will get one of those briefs, possibly Roads Policing and Community Engagement.
If a current assistant commissioner is successful for the deputy commissioner vacancy, it would mean that Chief Supt Ferry would be promoted next.
There are suggestions that an existing assistant commissioner could retire next year, but that is yet to become clear.
It is not clear how long the panel will last, but reports suggest it will operate to the end of 2026, at least, and perhaps up to two years. After that, a fresh competition will be held for a new panel.
Mr Kelly should have a new deputy commissioner within months, joining the other existing deputy commissioner, Shawna Coxon. Ms Coxon, head of Garda Operations, also applied for the commissioner post.
The new commissioner, as is often the case, may carry out a reshuffle of assistant commissioner and possibly deputy commissioner positions once in the job.
It is expected that Mr Kelly would wait until the deputy commissioner job is filled before doing so.
The department of Justice is taking the lead on the deputy commissioner competition, but the process will be carried out by the new Garda Board and the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
Previously, the Policing Authority, and the PAS, ran competitions for assistant commissioner and chief superintendent, but with the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, it was given to the Garda Commissioner and new Garda board.
