Three new Garda assistant commissioners have been appointed in the first phase of a process that will largely reshape senior management in the force as senior officers are retiring.
The three new appointments – of Michael McElgunn, Angela Willis and Justin Kelly – are internal promotions as all three have most recently been chief superintendents in the Garda.
Mr McElgunn was most recently chief superintendent in the Dublin Metropolitan Region South Central Division. He will now move to lead the Garda in the North Western Region, taking up that post next Monday, May 30th.
Until now, Ms Willis has had key roles in the investigation of organised crime and was one of the senior officers leading the response to the Kinahan-Hutch feud. Most recently, she led the National Bureau of Crime Investigation (NBCI), the Garda’s serious crimes squad, and will now be in charge of policing in Dublin when she takes up her new role officially next Monday.
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Mr Kelly was most recently detective chief superintendent in the Special Detective Unit, which combats terrorism. In his new role he will lead the Organised and Serious Crime section of the Garda when the incumbent, Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll, retires next month.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris described the appointments, which were made by the Policing Authority, as “very welcome”, adding all three new assistant commissioners “will be of great benefit to the organisation” given their experience.
