Mark Kelly

Mr Kelly will replace Mark Toland, who has been fulfilling the role on an interim basis since the dramatic resignation of Patricia Gilheaney in February.

He recently completed a term as vice-president of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture of the Council of Europe from 2017 to 2021, and earlier served as a commissioner of the Irish Human Rights Commission. He is also a former executive director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL).

Justice minister Helen McEntee said: “I am extremely pleased that Mark will be taking up this important role. I am sure his human rights experience both in Ireland and abroad will be of great benefit to the work of the Office.

“He joins an excellent team in the Office of the Inspector of Prisons which under his leadership and guidance will only go from strength to strength.”

Mr Kelly said: “I’m really looking forward to joining the Inspectorate team and to building on the work of my predecessors to establish truly independent inspection of places of detention.

“Looking to the future, I especially welcome the plans to expand the role of the Office to include independent monitoring of detention across the criminal justice sector in Ireland, in line with the requirements of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture (OPCAT).”

Mrs McEntee added: “I would like to thank Mark Toland, the interim inspector of prisons, for taking on this important role while the top level appointment competition was being completed. His appointment ensured the important work of the inspector of prisons, so essential in safeguarding the safety and security of prisoners, was able to continue uninterrupted.

“I would particularly like to thank him for his commitment and dedication to the work of the Office of the Inspector of Prisons and making sure this work continued to be carried out to the highest standards during his tenure.”

Saoirse Brady, executive director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT), said: “IPRT welcomes the appointment of Mr Kelly, who has vast human rights expertise, as the inspector of prisons.

“His previous membership of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture will undoubtedly bring a unique perspective to the role, given that Mark has visited, monitored, and has intricate knowledge of prison systems and other places of detention throughout Europe.”