The Government has appointed Dr. Jane Mulcahy to the Policing Authority following an open State Boards selection competition, conducted by the Public Appointments Service.
Dr. Mulcahy has worked as a researcher in the area of criminal justice, penal policy and social justice since 2005 and is currently employed as a Research Fellow with the Research Evidence into the Policy, Programmes and Practice (REPPP) team at the University of Limerick.
Dr. Mulcahy is the project manager of a pilot project seeking to reduce children’s involvement in criminal networks and provide them with positive social opportunities.
Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee said: “I welcome the appointment of Dr. Mulcahy to the Policing Authority and wish her every success in her new role. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in criminal justice, penal policy and social justice and will bring a valuable perspective to the important work of the Authority.”
The appointment of Dr. Mulcahy fills the vacancy on the Authority which arose following the resignation of Ms Shalom Binchy in May of this year (2023).
Dr. Mulcahy has been appointed for the period until March 8th, 2024 (expiry term date of the recently resigned member, Ms Shalom Binchy) or upon the dissolution of the Authority following the enactment of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill, whichever is the sooner.
The Bill, which completed Report and Final Stage in the Dáil and will go to the Seanad in the Autumn, will provide for a new governance and oversight framework for policing, as recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing.
This will result in the dissolution of the Policing Authority and will provide for the establishment of a new independent oversight body replacing the Policing Authority and the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. The new body will encompass the functions of both the Authority and the Garda Síochána Inspectorate as well as a range of community safety-related functions.
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