Gerry McNally elected president of Confederation of European Probation

The CEP’s 12th General Assembly in Bucharest yesterday elected a new board including members from Ireland, Belgium, Latvia, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Netherlands, Jersey Channel Islands and Croatia.

The European network of probation agencies and organisations aims to promote the social inclusion of offenders through community sanctions and measures such as probation, community service, mediation and conciliation.

Responding to Mr McNally’s election, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said: “I am delighted that the Probation Service’s Gerry McNally has been elected as CEP President.

“The appointment reflects a strong commitment to European-wide co-operation in addressing crime and managing offenders, and the significant contribution Ireland, and our criminal justice agencies, makes to that work.”

Vivian Geiran, director of the Probation Service, added: “Gerry’s election is a great honour, for the Probation Service and for Ireland, as well of course for Gerry himself.

“It reflects an acknowledgement of the Irish Probation Service’s commitment to the highest standards of practice, and of Gerry’s sterling dedication, over his long career, to probation work and its development, in Ireland and internationally.”