Kathleen O’Toole to chair Garda review

Kathleen O’Toole, chief of the Seattle Police Department, will chair the “root-and-branch review” of An Garda Síochána, the Department of Justice has announced.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald today secured Government agreement that Ms O’Toole, who was Chief Inspector of the Garda Inspectorate from 2006-12, should chair the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.

She was also a member of the Patten Commission into policing in Northern Ireland.

In a statement, the Department said her “unique experience and expertise ensures she is uniquely qualified for important task to be undertaken by the Commission”.

Ms Fitzgerald is finalising the terms of reference for the inquiry following consultations with other stakeholders and opposition parties.