The Government has appointed two new new deputy commissioners – one of whom hails from Canada – as joint seconds-in-command of the Gardai.
Two new deputy commissioners – internal candidate Anne Marie McMahon and Shawna Coxon from the Toronto Police Service – were today announced by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.
Ms McMahon, who joined the Gardai in 1986, had previously served as acting deputy commissioner for governance and strategy, and was widely expected to get the job on a full-time basis in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Canadian Dr Coxon comes to the role after three years as deputy chief of the Toronto Police Service, after being appointed as part of a modernisation drive in the Canadian police.
She spent over 20 years with the service, and has worked in youth crime, child abuse, sex crimes, human rights and more.
They'll take up their roles in the Garda senior leadership team in the coming months – Ms McMahon on February 10, Dr Coxon on April 19.
John Twomey, who was serving as deputy commissioner alongside Ms McMahon, is to retire in the coming months.
Ms McEntee said today: "I warmly welcome the decision of the Government to appoint the two candidates that the Policing Authority had nominated as Deputy Commissioners of the Garda Síochána.
"In congratulating Anne Marie McMahon and Shawna Coxon, the Authority recognises the significance of the moment.
"These are crucial positions in the life of the Garda Síochána and the appointments come at a time of change, of achievement and of challenge.
"They have come through a demanding and thorough selection process that brings together the Government, the Authority and the Public Appointments Service and they thoroughly merit their selection.
"In addition to the qualities and diverse experience that they will bring to their new roles, they will have an opportunity to make a major contribution to the character and quality of the policing service that the Garda Síochána brings to the people of Ireland."
