DEPUTY GARDA Commissioner Martin Callinan will be the next Garda Commissioner following the approval of his promotion at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.
He will take up the position in a fortnight when Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy retires.
The 57-year-old, married, father of three is from Glasnevin, north Dublin.
He is the first Dubliner in the 82-year history of the force to be appointed Garda Commissioner.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern nominated Mr Callinan for promotion, securing the approval of his Cabinet colleagues for the move. Mr Ahern congratulated Mr Callinan and wished him well in his new post.
“He has a distinguished record of service in the Garda Síochána, with a wide range of experience in key positions in the force, and has all the qualities needed to lead the Garda Síochána successfully through the challenging times ahead.”
Mr Ahern paid tribute to outgoing Garda Commissioner Murphy, saying he had led the force “from the front and with enormous dedication and commitment” during a period of significant organisational change.
“He leaves behind a proud record of dedicated service to the State in the finest tradition of the Garda Síochána and, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Government, I thank him for his service to the State.”
Mr Murphy is due to retire on December 28th, with Mr Callinan set to immediately succeed him.
Mr Callinan is currently one of the two deputy commissioners, the second highest rank in the force.
He and Deputy Commissioner Nacie Rice were regarded as the two clear favourites to succeed Mr Murphy.
In his current role, Mr Callinan is head of operations across the force, meaning he is in charge of all operational policing in the Republic.
He also has overall responsibility for anti-terrorism operations and all national Garda units, including the Garda National Drugs Unit, Criminal Assets Bureau and Organised Crime Unit.
The six regional assistant commissioners and the assistant commissioners in crime and security, national support services and traffic are under his command.
Mr Callinan assumes control of the Garda at a time when the record 14,500 strength of the force is just about to begin falling because of the recruitment ban.
While the drugs trade has significantly contracted, as demand for drugs has collapsed due to the recession, the Garda still faces formidable challenges under Mr Callinan’s stewardship.
Recent successes have been enjoyed against dissident republicans across the State but their activities are growing.
And while there are fewer illicit drugs in circulation, the rate of gun murders by drugs gangs, at 23 so far this year, has shown no signs of abating.
Some gangs have now turned to robberies, often involving the kidnapping of banking and cash-in-transit company officials and their families, to raise money.
Mr Callinan joined An Garda Síochána in 1973 and in his early years, served in Waterford, Blanchardstown, Cabra, the former Central Detective Unit, Pearse Street, Terenure, Swinford and the crime and security section at Garda Headquarters in Phoenix Park, Dublin.
He was appointed to the position of assistant commissioner in 2005, and in January 2007 he became a deputy commissioner.
He holds a BA in police management. In 1995, he undertook management training at the FBI Academy, Quantico, Virginia, where he also recently completed the national executive institute programme which is designed for police chiefs from around the world.
