Justin Kelly outlines the two things important to him as the new Garda Commissioner
New Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said that over the coming days and months, he wanted to hear from members and staff, in visits to stations and offices and through the upcoming Cultural Audit. Picture: Government Information Service
New Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has said the organisation “must strengthen” its capabilities to counter rapidly emerging threats to front-line policing, organised crime and national security.
On his first day in the job, Mr Kelly reached out to garda members and told them he appreciates the “pressures and challenges” they face.
In a statement, he said that one of his tasks is to make sure they have everything they need to do their job and “remove” hindrances that stop them from doing it.
Speaking on Monday to his nearly 18,500 colleagues in An Garda Síochána — including almost 14,300 gardaí and almost 3,700 garda staff (civilians) — Mr Kelly said: "Colleagues, today is my first day as your commissioner, so I wanted to send you all a short message about some of the things that are important to me.
“Firstly, it is an incredible honour for me to take up this role, and it will be a privilege for me to lead An Garda Síochána, an organisation I am very proud of.
“I want to thank you all for the great work that you do. The policing professionalism and dedication that I see on a daily basis is a credit to you all.”
He also acknowledged the work of garda staff and reserves, who, he said, play a crucial role in the organisation. He said An Garda Síochána “is trusted” by the Irish public and said it was one of the most trusted police services in the world.
“This trust has been earned over the years by all your efforts, and it is really important that we continue to maintain this level of trust,” he said.
“I have been in the job for over 33 years, I have experienced much of what you have. So I really do appreciate the pressures and challenges that you face.
He said that over the coming days and months, he wanted to hear from members and staff, in visits to stations and offices and through the upcoming Cultural Audit.
On the frosty, and sometimes, acrimonious, relationship that had developed between garda staff bodies and the commissioner under Drew Harris, who departed on August 31, Mr Kelly said: “I also look forward to working collaboratively with your representative organisations, who have such an important role in advocating on your behalf.”
He added: “Whilst we are a great organisation, there are, of course, areas that we need to improve. It is important that we continue to evolve the service we provide to the public.”
Touching on operational priorities, he said: “We must also strengthen our capabilities to counter rapidly emerging threats in front-line policing, organised crime and national security. I believe in our organisation and am proud to serve alongside you all.”
Mr Kelly faces a number of pressing issues:
- Recruitment and retention;
- Opposition among garda staff bodies to the new Operating Model;
- A booming drugs trade and continuing impact on the most affected communities;
- Growing threats from populist anti-immigrant and far-right hostility, including racist violence.
In addition, there are heightened concerns about sexual and domestic violence as well as AI-fuelled cybercrime.
Mr Kelly also faces an increased level of governance and oversight structures, including a new internal Garda Board, an expanded Policing and Community Safety Authority and a new Independent Examiner on Security.
One of his biggest challenges – from a policing and security, as well as industrial relations, perspective - is Ireland taking over the EU Presidency on July 1, 2026.
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