I’m here to protect the people of Ireland, vows new Garda chief
NEW Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has attempted to quash concerns about his links to British intelligence services, saying he has reported wrongdoing by security forces on “many occasions”.
On his second day in the role as head of Ireland’s police force, the 53-year-old addressed issues about his key role within MI5, saying that he always worked to “prevent and detect” crime.
The former deputy chief constable of the PSNI said: “I’ve always been a police officer, it has always been my responsibility to prevent and detect crime and I have always done that.
“If any time I have ever found any wrongdoing of any nature, involving anyone and in this case which finger points towards wrongdoing by security forces, it would be my responsibility to report that to Police Ombudsman. I have done that on many occasions where I felt there was wrongdoing.”
Mr Harris addressed the meassure dia yesterday at Garda headquarters in Phoenix Park, Dublin. He referred to a number of concerns that have been raised following his appointment to the role of Commissioner.
A number of survivors and victims of loyalist attacks questioned his suitability because of his previous role in the PSNI and RUC.
He added: “I’m very aware of the concerns some have raised. Throughout my policing career I have acted with impartiality, I have brought many loyalist terrorists to justice and I have secured convictions. These crimes have been atrocious crimes and I have been diligent and persistent in the investigation of those.
“I understand the hurt that remains with those victims. I can them of my integrity in what I was doing as a PSNI officer and RUC officer.”
Mr Harris is the first Garda Commissioner to be appointed from outside the State.
When asked whether he considers himself Irish, he said: “Yes, I am Irish. I’m not sure how much of an outsider I am. I’m a police officer, I’m from the island of Ireland and have worked for the benefit of people of Ireland.
“I’m here to lead the organisation.”
He said he believes Irish politicians are “fully behind” him in his role. When probed further about his intelligence regarding terrorist murders in the Republic and his obligation to pass on information, he said that he has “no other” intelligence to share with the Gardai.
He added: “That obligation would have been a live obligation with the PSNI.
“Intelligence is constantly exchanged between both police services or via the security service.
“I could highlight numerous cross-border operations where we exchange very sensitive intelligence and work very closely on joint operations and that prevented many terrorist outrages and very serious organised crime. The matters I was aware of with the PSNI are always dealt with properly.”
He said he is here “to protect the people of Ireland” and will serve the public in “good faith”.
Mr Harris added that dissident republicans remain the biggest threat on the island of Ireland and are “determined” to carry out attacks.
He raised a number of areas he will focus on over the coming years — including the threat from dissidents, organised crime and the threat from international terrorists.
He also spoke of his plans to address how Garda Siochanna is spending its budget and how it will deal with Brexit.
“This is an area of focus, our planning process is under way.
“Not all of the responsibility of Brexit, of whatever nature, will fall to Garda Siochanna, but we have to be concerned with police-to-police co-operation at a local level with the PSNI and how we secure border areas and we have to be aware of organised crime,” he added.