The government has again snubbed applications from An Garda Síochána to instead appoint two more members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to senior positions in the organisation.
The two Royal Ulster Constabulary veterans, Paula Hillman and Stephen McCauley, were appointed to the positions of Assistant Commissioner and Chief Inspector respectively, following selection competitions.
The government were criticised for their appointment of RUC veteran Drew Harris as Garda Commissioner over his alleged links to British intelligence services and the role he played in their “dirty war” against republicans during the Troubles which saw them collude with loyalist terrorist groups.
Commissioner Harris hit back against these claims stating he had reported wrongdoing by security forces on “many occasions”.
However, numerous survivors of loyalist terror attacks, both in the North and the Republic have persisted in their contestation that Harris is not a suitable man to lead An Garda Síochána.
Regardless, Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has lauded the new appointments stating:
“These appointments have been possible due to the agreement reached with the Government of the United Kingdom on the mutual eligibility of Gardaí and PSNI officers for senior-level competitions in the other organisations.”
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
