It may be months before a new Garda Commissioner is in place.
Noirin O’Sullivan retired from the post last night after a year of intense pressure to step away.
The hunt is now on for her replacement, and strong calls are being made for an outsider to get the job.
Clare FM’s Fiona McGarry reports:
The hunt begins today for a new Garda Commissioner after the shock retirement of Noirin O’Sullivan.
She says the job had become about attending hearings and responding to inaccurate commentary, rather than actually getting on with reforming the force.
Ms O’Sullivan had faced repeated calls to step down following a number of scandals involving the Gardaí.
Limerick Labour TD Jan O’Sullivan, has told Clare FM’s Morning Focus, that she doesn’t believe that there’s been a witch hunt.
There have been calls for the Garda Commissioner’s replacement to be brought in from outside the country’s police force.
Clare Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway says the new Commissioner should come from outside of the force, while the couny’s Independent TD agrees.
Deputy Michael Harty says reform of the Garda is essential.
The Justice Minister says the process to replace Ms O’Sullivan may take months and efforts will get underway in the coming days.
Minister Charlie Flanagan says he wasn’t surprised that the Garda Commissioner stepped down.
