The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, has named Mr Noel Conroy as the man who will replace the Garda Commissioner Mr Pat Byrne when he retires in July.
Mr Conroy (60), who will take up the post on July 20th, is Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations. He was appointed to this position in July 1996.
A native of Blacksod, Co Mayo, Mr Conroy has been a member of the Garda since 1963.
Mr McDowell said Mr Conoy's "personal attributes, together with his wide range of experience and current responsibility for all operational matters, ensures that he is very well suited to lead the Garda Síochána through the challenging period of change that lies ahead".