By AML Intelligence Correspondents
THE GOVERNMENT of Ireland has appointed Deputy Commissioner Justin Kelly the country’s new national police (An Garda Siochana) Commissioner.
Commissioner Kelly, who has attended the last two ‘European Anti-Financial Crime Summits,’ in Dublin replaces incumbent Drew Harris.
Deputy Commissioner Kelly has served over 30 years at all ranks in An Garda Síochána (AGS) and was appointed Deputy Commissioner Security, Strategy and Governance last October.
The new police commissioner spoke at ‘European Anti-Financial Crime Summit 2024′ and attended the Speakers’ Dinner for EAFCS2025 in May last where the ‘John O’Driscoll Memorial Award’ was presented to Europol Executive Director Catherine De Bolle.
He was previously Assistant Commissioner in charge of Serious and Organised Crime responsible for the national units and investigations into drugs and organised crime, cybercrime, economic crime, immigration and crimes against vulnerable persons.
Under his stewardship Ireland has enjoyed major successes against organised and transnational crime, culminating this year in the extradition of a major criminal figure suspected of involvement in Kinahan Cartel from UAE.
Ireland’s Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said: “I am very pleased that the Government has today accepted my recommendation to appoint Justin Kelly, who is currently serving as Deputy Commissioner Security, Strategy and Governance, as Commissioner of An Garda Síochána following an open competition conducted by public jobs.
“The role of Garda Commissioner is one of the most challenging and impactful leadership positions in Ireland’s public service and the appointment process was suitably rigorous.
“I am satisfied that Justin Kelly is both qualified and particularly well suited to the role of Commissioner given his extensive leadership experience over the last 30 years in some of the most challenging issues facing An Garda Síochána including national security, domestic and sexual violence, and organised crime.
“I know Justin is fully committed to providing a high visibility, highly trusted policing service to the public in keeping with the Garda mission of Keeping People Safe.”
The new police commissioner has served in many of the force’s specialist units including the Operational Counter-Terrorism Unit, the Special Detective Unit intelligence department and was a uniformed garda, sergeant and inspector in Dublin’s western districts.
He has a degree from UCD, an MBA from DCU, a masters in serious crime investigation from the University of Limerick, a master’s in criminal justice from John Jay College in New York and has completed the strategic command course at the UK College of Policing.
He was seconded to work for the United Nations in Bosnia Herzegovina in 2021 where he worked monitoring and building the capacity of local Law Enforcement.
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