National Development Plan made big promises before — but what did it deliver?
While there is a sense of deja vu about the Government's latest National Development Plan (NDP), things were a little different this time.
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The Irish Sun
8 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Govt appoint ‘well suited' Justin Kelly to Garda Commissioner role to replace Drew Harris after retirement in weeks
THE Government has appointed a new Garda Commissioner to replace Drew Harris, who will retire later this year. Justin Kelly, who has served over 30 years at all ranks in 2 Justin Kelly will take on the role of Garda Commissioner in September Credit: Brian Lawless/PA Wire 2 Garda Commissioner Drew Harris will remain in the role until his retirement in just a few weeks Credit: Garrett White/PA Wire He was appointed as Deputy Commissioner Security, Strategy and Governance last October and was previously the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Serious and Organised Crime. Minister for Justice He said: "The role of Garda Commissioner is one of the most challenging and impactful leadership positions in Ireland's public service and the appointment process was suitably rigorous. "I am satisfied that Justin Kelly is both qualified and particularly well suited to the role of Commissioner given his extensive leadership experience over the last 30 years in some of the most challenging issues facing An Garda Siochana including national security, domestic and sexual violence, and organised crime. READ MORE IRISH NEWS "I know Justin is fully committed to providing a high visibility, highly trusted policing service to the public in keeping with the Garda mission of Keeping People Safe." Minister O'Callaghan said the the Government is "very grateful" to him for leading An Garda Siochana over the last number of years. He said: "It is a measure of his steady and effective leadership that the organisation maintains very high levels of public trust after what had been a very turbulent period for An Garda Siochana prior to his appointment. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN 'In creating a national network of Divisional Protective Services Units, he transformed the quality of Garda investigations into domestic and sexual crimes. "He has determinedly focused on tracking down and prosecuting those involved in organised crime, including building international partnerships to seek them out, leading to a very substantial measurable drop in gun-related deaths in Ireland, as well as significant increases in seizure of drugs and cash. "His leadership of An Garda Siochana throughout the Covid pandemic was exemplary and the country owes him a debt of gratitude for all his work.' Tanaiste 'PROUD DAY' He said: "This is a proud day for the new Commissioner and his family and I want to wish him every success in his new position, leading the men and women of An Garda Siochana who carry out such an important role in our society every single day right across the country." The Fine Gael leader added: "I look forward to working closely with him in the years ahead on building stronger, safer communities by strengthening An Garda Siochana, expanding resources, and modernising support to tackle crime. "As a Government we are committed to funding the recruitment of thousands more gardai as well as protecting and investing in the force. "Today's appointment will take effect upon the retirement of the current Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on September 1. "I want to take this opportunity to extend my thanks and appreciation to the outgoing Commissioner who led An Garda Siochana through a period of significant reform which has seen the implementation of a new Operating Model along with the repeal and replacement of the Garda Siochana Act." The Garda Commissioner role is understood to have a salary of at least €314,000.
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
State to oppose Omagh bombing survivors' bid to bring cases over failure to hold inquiry, court told
The State will oppose applications by two Omagh bombing survivors seeking to bring lawsuits aimed at compelling the Irish government to establish a public inquiry into the atrocity, the High Court has heard. Emmet Tunney and Shawneen Conway, both survivors of the 1998 dissident republican bombing, say the Government is obliged to establish a public inquiry in circumstances where state authorities allegedly held 'actionable intelligence' relating to the attack. A total of 29 people, including Ms Conway's 18-year-old brother Gareth and a mother pregnant with twins, died when a car bomb planted by the Real IRA exploded in the centre of the Co Tyrone town on August 15, 1998. The survivors, who are seeking to bring separate but similar cases, both point to a judgment of Northern Ireland's High Court, which found that the British and Irish government bore responsibilities 'arising from the cross-border nature of the attack and the intelligence failings that preceded it'. 'The High Court in Northern Ireland found that there was a real prospect that fresh investigative measures could yield new and significant information regarding the atrocity, including the possibility of preventing it had certain intelligence been acted upon,' the survivors' court papers state. Their cases state that a public inquiry is required to ensure an effective investigation of the atrocity. They allege the State's failure to hold such an inquiry is a breach of their rights under the Constitution and under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). According to their court documents, article two of the ECHR requires an 'effective, independent, prompt, and public' investigation in circumstances where State agents knew or ought to have known of a real and immediate risk to life. Articles 40 and 41 of the Constitution require effective investigations of deaths involving potential State failures, their papers say. An independent inquiry into the bombing established by the UK government opened in Omagh in January and is continuing. That inquiry is examining whether the atrocity could have been prevented by UK authorities. Ms Conway and Mr Tunney say the Irish government should hold a parallel inquiry. In the High Court this week, Stephen Toal KC, for the survivors with Ruaidhrí Giblin BL and Karl McGuckin BL, moved an application seeking permission to bring the proceedings against the Government, Ireland and the Attorney General. Mr Toal said the State had indicated it would be opposing their application seeking permission to bring the proceedings. Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty said she would hear Mr Toal's applications for permission to bring the proceedings in early November. The judge said the State should be put on notice of the applications. Both survivors are seeking various orders, including one compelling the Government to establish a public inquiry into the bombing, and a court declaration that the Government's failure to establish such an inquiry to date is in breach of their rights. Mr Tunney, of Omagh, Co Tyrone, is represented in the action by Strabane-based firm Roche McBride Solicitors. Ms Conway, from Dungannon, Co Tyrone, is represented by Pa Duffy Solicitors in Dungannon.
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Omagh bombing survivors' attempt to compel inquiry in the Republic will be opposed, High Court hears
The State will oppose applications by two Omagh bombing survivors seeking to bring lawsuits aimed at compelling the Irish government to establish a public inquiry into the atrocity, the High Court has heard. Emmet Tunney and Shawneen Conway, both survivors of the 1998 dissident republican bombing, say the Government is obliged to establish a public inquiry in circumstances where state authorities allegedly held 'actionable intelligence' relating to the attack.
