The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Tuosist man to head probe into Garda failings
A SOUTH Kerry garda has been tasked with leading investigations into chronic failings in An Garda Síochána at a time when confidence in the force is at an all time low. In an historic moment in the evolution of policing in Ireland, Tuosist native Michael O’Sullivan is the new Assistant Garda Commissioner, the first ever senior ranking garda to be appointed by an independent body comprised of civilians. It will be a baptism of fire for the new Assistant Commissioner who has been instructed by under-fire Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan to investigate whether current failings are as a result of individual or systemic failures within the force.
His appointment comes at a time when An Garda Siochána faces criticism over inflated breathyliser statistics, issues over penalty points and allegations over the treatment of whistleblowers.
Mr O’Sullivan, whose mother runs the post office in Tuosist, hails from a family of five, including two retired members of the force.
TOUSIST native Michael O’Sullivan is the new Assistant Garda Commissioner, ths first senior garda to be appointed by the new independent Policing Authority.
He has now been tasked by Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan to undertake a detailed analysis of all garda investigations carried out to date in an effort to iron out systemic failures which have plagued the force in recent years.
His appointment follows last week’s revelations over hugely inaccurate breath-testing figures which have put increasing pressure on the Ms O’Sullivan’s position.
He has been instructed by the under-fire commissioner to decide on whether or not further remedial action is needed
The appointment by an independent body is the first of its kind in the history of the state.
A former Detective Chief Superintendent, the Tousist man brings 36 years’ experience to the position, with a wide range of operational roles, both in Ireland and abroad in the European Union, the United Nations and the Council of Europe.
More recently, he was in charge of the Security and Intelligence Section.
Mr O’Sullivan’s family are extremely proud of the achievement, none more so than his mother Maureen who still runs the local shop and post office in Tousist.
“He’s a wonderful young man and he rang me over the weekend to tell me the news – I’m very proud indeed. He always made progress over the years and was always keen on studying and bettering himself.
“Growing up he was always a great young man and did a lot of travelling over the years as part of his job,” she Maureen.
Mr O’Sullivan comes from a family of four brothers: Steve, PJ, Owen and Gerard. “As a family we’re immensely proud and delighted with Michael’s achievements,” said PJ, who is a retired Garda Sergeant in Mallow.
Applications for the position of Assistant Commissioner were shortlisted and preliminary interviews took place in early March.
The final selection process was conducted by a selection board appointed by the Authority. In its report, the board concluded that five individuals had reached the required standard for appointment to the rank of Assistant Commissioner and that Chief Superintendent O’Sullivan ranked first in order of merit on the panel’s list of candidates.
“The appointment marks a historic moment in the evolution of policing in Ireland. It is the first time that a senior ranking Garda has been appointed by an independent body comprised of civilians,” said Authority Chairperson, Josephine Feehily.