The incoming commissioner brings a wealth of experience to his new role, writes Conor Lally
Having joined An Garda Síochána 40 years ago Fachtna Murphy is perhaps best known as the first head of the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab), a role he took over on the unit's inception following the 1996 murder of Veronica Guerin. He led the bureau for a period of three years during which time some of its biggest cases were begun. These included actions against drug dealer John Gilligan and suspected major armed robber Gerry Hutch, the Dublin criminal also known as The Monk.
He led the assets confiscation case against Patrick Eugene Holland, the man named during Garda evidence in court as the suspected gunman in the Veronica Guerin murder.
Many of the cases initiated during his time at the Cab have provided the legal precedent on which the bureau has continued to operate.
From Timoleague in Co Cork, Mr Murphy has served on the force since 1967. He spent his early years policing in the Dublin suburbs of Crumlin, Dún Laoghaire, Ballyfermot and at Pearse Street in the city centre.
He spent a period in the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the force's serious crimes squad.
He was promoted to chief superintendent in 1999 and took control of the Dublin metropolitan eastern division, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, followed by the Cab.
After completing his three years as head of the Cab Mr Murphy was appointed to the position of assistant commissioner, where he was responsible for human resources management. He was appointed in 2003 to his current rank of deputy commissioner, the second most senior posting in the force. As deputy commissioner in charge of operations he has been directly responsible for all operational policing across the force.
The 12 assistant commissioners in charge of the regions, crime and security and the national support services have reported directly to him during the past four years.
Married with children, Mr Murphy holds a BA in police management and a diploma in management and industrial relations.
Last year he completed the national executive programme with the FBI, a course aimed at chiefs of police worldwide which focuses on senior police leadership programmes.