Gráinne Berrill

The new office is to be established under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 when it is commenced later this year and will lead on the establishment of new local community safety partnerships (LCSPs).

Ms Berrill previously held several senior roles across the public and community/voluntary sectors, including as co-ordinator of the Drogheda Implementation Board, a cross-agency, cross-sectoral response to crime in the area.

As director, she will oversee the management and administration of the National Office for Community Safety.

LCSP pilot partnerships have been running in Longford, Waterford and Dublin’s North Inner City for the last number of years. Each has developed and published a local community safety plan and through independent monitoring and evaluation has helped inform best practice for the forthcoming national roll out.

Justice minister Helen McEntee said: “I am truly delighted to be announcing Gráinne Berrill’s appointment today.

“Community safety is a priority for me as minister for justice. It is about people being safe and feeling safe in their own community. Nobody knows a community better than the people who live and work there, and the new local community safety partnerships have been designed with this in mind.

“The National Office for Community Safety will be the linchpin for the LCSPs as they are rolled out right across the country.

“Under Gráinne’s leadership, the Drogheda Implementation Board has overseen huge improvements in community safety for Drogheda. I know she will bring this experience to the national level and I wish her all the very best in her new role.

“We share a commitment to a vibrant and safe Ireland and I look forward to seeing the innovative and crucial work that comes from the National Office and the LCSPs over the coming years.”

Ms Berrill added: “I am honoured to be designated by the minister to be appointed as the first director of the National Office for Community Safety.

“I am particularly motivated by the opportunity to bring a broader, coordinated focus to community safety issues, at both national and local level, to enable communities to be safe and feel safe.

“I therefore look forward to working with our colleagues and partners across government departments, An Garda Síochána, local authorities, statutory agencies, and the community and voluntary sector to embed a whole-of-government, whole-of-community partnership approach to community safety that will empower communities to have a strong say in what actions are prioritised by services operating in their area.

“My focus now will be on establishing the National Office so we can support this process and I would like to thank minister McEntee for entrusting me with this task.”