Flanagan backs new Garda chief as he starts job
Criticism of Harris ‘very unfair’ says Justice Minister FIRST DAY
Alwyn Harris died in IRA car bomb DREW Harris takes up his post as the new Garda Commissioner today – just hours after Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan slammed a “very unfair” attempt to damage him.
The former deputy chief constable of the PSNI officially started in the job at one minute past midnight with acting commissioner Donall O Cualain stepping down.
A ceremony will take place this morning at Divisional Headquarters in Dublin’s Kevin Street with a small number of people present.
Mr Flanagan yesterday played down any possibility of conflict over the 53-year-old being subject to the UK Official Secrets Act as well as the Irish version.
He described the negativity surrounding his appointment as politically motivated and said he was satisfied with Mr Harris’ Garda vetting process which was requested by his department.
Minister Flanagan told RTE’S This Week: “That was done before the Independent Policing Authority nominated him for appointment by Government and before I brought that recommendation to my Government colleagues.”
And he added it was “very unfair” to try to damage
Mr Harris before he started.
Minister
Flanagan said:
“He is noted very much for impartial policing and to service and community and
Mr Flanagan he defended the democracy on the rule of law all of his professional life.
“His father was brutally murdered by enemies of democracy.
“The greatest threat to the security of this State comes from dissident republicans and I believe Drew Harris has played an important role in ensuring there has been a positive role between the PSNI and the Garda Siochana.”
The new commissioner, who will earn €250,000 per year, is the first outsider to hold the post.
Garda Representative Association spokesman John O’keefe said: “When Mr Harris’ appointment was announced, the GRA was especially pleased to note he was both a police officer and one with proven senior operational and management experience on the island of Ireland.
“Mr Harris has worked very closely with An Garda Siochana over many years and so is likely to better understand policing issues as they present themselves across the country.”
Mr Harris’ father, RUC superintendent Alwyn Harris, was murdered aged 51 in an IRA car bomb in 1989.
He was on his way to a church service near his Lisburn home.
annual salary of the new Garda Commissioner Drew harris