Patricia Gilheaney named new Inspector of Prisons

Patricia Gilheaney has been appointed new Inspector of Prisons, effective from 7 May 2018.

Ms Gilheaney (pictured) has a background in healthcare, having held the post of chief executive officer of the Mental Health Commission since 2010. She was the commission’s first director of standards and quality assurance from 2003-10.

The registered general nurse and registered psychiatric nurse, who holds an MSc in Health Services Management and an MSc in Executive Leadership, succeeds Judge Michael Reilly, who died in 2016.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said: “I look forward to Ms. Gilheaney bringing her unique experience and skills to her new role as Inspector of Prisons and continuing the excellent work of her predecessor, the late Judge Michael Reilly.

“The Director General of the Irish Prison Service, Michael Donnellan, joins me in welcoming Ms Gilheaney to the post.

“He and I look forward to cooperating with her in our joint aim of continuing to improve standards in the Irish prison system to the benefit of prisoners and staff alike.”

Mr Flanagan also thanked Helen Casey, principal officer in the Inspector of Prisons’s office, who has carried out the role of Inspector under a ministerial warrant since Judge Reilly’s death.