Jim O'Callaghan

The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 was commenced by justice minister Jim O’Callaghan today, establishing a number of new bodies.

They include the Garda Board and the new Policing and Community Safety Authority, which replaces the existing Policing Authority and Garda Síochána Inspectorate.

Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, has been established and Emily Logan will be formally appointed later today as Ireland’s first police ombudsman.

Former Court of Appeal president Mr Justice George Birmingham will also take up his post as the first independent examiner of security legislation.

Meanwhile, the new National Office for Community Safety will lead the rollout of the government’s new strategy for improving community safety and will work closely with the local community safety partnerships (LCSPs) being established.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “It is my great pleasure to commence this Act and deliver on the government’s commitment to the reform of policing, security and community safety in Ireland.

“This process began with the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland in 2018 and today a range of new office holders, senior leaders and Board and Authority members in these new bodies take up their roles.

“I wish them and the staff in these bodies every success in carrying out their functions.”