The Irish Penal Reform Trust has welcomed the appointment of Probation Service director Michael Donnellan as new director general of the Irish Penal Reform Trust.
It said his expertise in non-custodial sanctions had the scope to bring a new dimension to prisons policy.
However, the trust’s executive director, Liam Herrick, said while Mr Donnellan’s background in the probation and youth justice area would be “useful and will bring a new perspective”, time would be needed before his appointment could be seen as part of any new departure in penal policy.
Mr Donnellan replaces Brian Purcell, who recently became secretary general of the Department of Justice.
He takes on his new role at a time of crisis within the prison service, with chronic overcrowding.