Government appoints Deputy Garda Commissioner
- Justin Kelly, Assistant Commissioner, Organised & Serious Crime appointed Deputy Garda Commissioner
15th October 2024 Issued by the Department of Justice Press Office
The Government has today approved the appointment of a new Deputy Commissioner in An Garda Síochána with effect from today’s date.
Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, announced the appointment of Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly following a recent open competition:
“I am delighted to congratulate Justin Kelly on his appointment to this vital role. Justin has a strong record of strategic leadership and operational command.
“Over the last two years he has led the fight against organised and serious crime as Assistant Commissioner. In this role, he has led the further development of An Garda Síochána’s capabilities and international partnerships to tackle drugs and organised crime, cyber and economic crime, as well as prioritising combatting crimes against vulnerable people and responding to the needs of victims.
“Justin’s career is marked by achievement and results and I know he will bring his experience, skill and huge personal commitment to An Garda Síochána’s mission, to this important senior position. This role is crucial to the effective day to day management and strategic direction of An Garda Síochána as well as supporting the Garda Commissioner in leading the implementation of the organisation’s ongoing programme of reform.”
The appointment follows an open competition run by Public Jobs on behalf of the Policing Authority and has been welcomed by the Garda Commissioner and the Policing Authority.
The Chairperson of the Policing Authority, Dr Elaine Byrne, said:
“I warmly welcome the Government’s decision to appoint Justin Kelly as Deputy Commissioner of An Garda Síochána following the nomination by the Policing Authority.
“This is a highly significant appointment in Irish public life and coincides with the landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, which will be implemented shortly.
“Justin has come through a challenging selection process that brings together the Government, the Authority and the Public Appointments Service.
“I am optimistic that Justin will make a major contribution to that transformation and build upon the quality of the policing service that An Garda Síochána brings to the people of Ireland.”
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris added:
“I am very pleased to congratulate Justin Kelly on his appointment as Deputy Commissioner.
“Justin brings huge policing experience and knowledge of An Garda Síochána to the role. He has very significant experience across a range of key leadership roles, notably leading on our fights against drugs and organised crime, economic and cyber-crime and immigration enforcement since his appointment as Assistant Commissioner in 2022.
“A key member of the Senior Leadership Team of An Garda Síochána, his positive and visible leadership has earned him the respect of colleagues across the organisation.
“I look forward to working with Justin as we continue to deliver a policing service that keeps people safe through a strong bond between An Garda Síochána and the community.”
ENDS
Note for Editors
Justin Kelly has served as Assistant Commissioner, Serious and Organised Crime since 2022, leading the Garda organisationalresponse to countering the threat of organised crime in all its formats. He has been a key figure in setting out the strategy andoperational priorities, as well as the development of policy in relation to a significant number of areas of organised and serious crime.
As Detective Chief Superintendent in the Special Detective Unit (SDU), A/C Kelly held strategic and operational command of the Garda counter terrorism unit. This included responsibility for countering domestic and international terrorism along with violent political extremism and the threat from hostile state actors.
Prior to these roles, A/C Kelly held key roles including Detective Superintendent in Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) where he held national responsibility for the management and oversight of online child exploitation investigations. Prior to that he served as Detective Inspector in the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB).
He was awarded a first class master’s degree in Serious Crime Investigation from the University of Limerick and also holds an MBA from Dublin City University; an MA in Criminal Justice from John Jay College, NYC; a BCL from University College Dublin and a ProfessionalCertificate in Governance from the Institute of Public Administration.
