Crime « Thurles Information

Expressions Of Interest Sought For New Board Of An Garda Síochána.

Internal governance within An Garda Síochána to be enhanced, with the establishment of a new Garda Board.
Applications sought for Chairperson and eight ordinary board members.

The Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee TD has today encouraged suitably qualified candidates to submit expressions of interest for membership of the new Garda Board.

A State Boards process to appoint a chairperson and ordinary members to the new Board has opened today. It will close at 3:00pm on Thursday February 15th next, 2024, and further details regarding the positions can be found HERE.

This new board is provided for in the ‘Policing Security and Community Safety (PSCS) Bill‘, which passed all stages of the Seanad on January 24th last. The Bill provides that the members of the Garda Board will be appointed by the Minister for Justice, from persons recommended by the Public Appointments Service as suitable, following an open selection process.

Speaking today about the establishment of the new Board, Minister McEntee stated: “The formation of this Board is a very important component of the new legislation. It will strengthen the management and internal governance of An Garda Síochána.
It will not have any role in relation to operational matters, as is the case with such boards generally. However it reflects the fact that a non-executive board is a corporate governance standard in the public and private sectors”.

The Bill has been developed based on the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and will provide a new coherent governance and oversight framework for policing that will strengthen An Garda Síochána.

The establishment of the new Garda Board is an important element of this new framework.

The Board will be a non-executive governance board, comprised of a chairperson and eight ordinary members, with a range of important governance functions. Membership will comprise independent-minded, experienced professionals in their respective fields.

The new board, through the corporate and governance expertise and external perspective of its members, will provide practical support along with a robust, constructive challenge to the senior leadership team in An Garda Síochána.

The Minister continued: “An Garda Síochána is carrying out some of the most critical functions of the State.
This Board will support it to anticipate and respond to changes in the ways in which policing will need to be delivered in the coming decades. It will also provide assurance to the Minister of the day, in relation to internal governance and risk management and mitigation.
The Board will also support the Garda Commissioner by ensuring that the organisation has the most appropriate systems, processes and procedures in place to deliver a top class policing service in the State. It is not a however a substitute for robust external oversight of An Garda Síochána, and will in no way dilute the work of the new external oversight body to be established under the Bill – the Policing and Community Safety Authority – which will build on the good work done by the Policing Authority and the Garda Síochána Inspectorate”.

The Garda Commissioner will continue to be required to keep the Minister and the Secretary General of the Department informed of significant matters, and to account to the Minister and Government for the provision of policing and security services by An Garda Síochána.

The Minister further highlighted the importance of this new Board, which will be accountable to the Minister for its performance, and she has encouraged people with relevant experience and expertise to apply for these important roles.

Cashel, Co. Tipperary Man Goes On Trial Accused Of Complicity To Murder.

A male victim, deemed totally innocent, having absolutely no involvement in crime; who was shot six times, as he sat in his Ford Mondeo car outside his Dublin home, just after 5:00pm on December 22nd 2016; died from multiple gunshot injuries to his head, chest, arm and abdomen; State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan has informed the three-judge non-jury Special Criminal Court.

Mr Michael Crotty, aged 40 years, with an address at Slí Aonghusa, Aras na Rí, Cashel, Co Tipperary, has pleaded not guilty to the charge that between October 20th 2016 and December 22nd 2016, within the Irish State and with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, did participate in, or contribute by activity, or by being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission by a criminal organisation or any of its members of a serious offence: to with the murder of Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwan, contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal justice Act.

Dr Linda Mulligan who examined the body of the murdered victim, Mr Christopher Kirwan, within 24 hours after he was shot dead, identified eight separate injuries. These injuries were caused by six gunshot wounds with one of the bullets entering the right side of Mr Kirwan’s chest, damaging the aorta, (latter the main artery transporting blood from the heart), before travelling onward to further damage the lower lobe of his left lung, causing further bleeding and lung collapse.

Further gunshot wounds, included the area of the victims chest; his abdomen, and his head; latter entry point located just below the right eye, travelling in a downward angle, together with two punctures to the right arm causing further blood loss; again contributed to the victims death. Toxicology tests on the victim were found to be negative for both drugs and excess alcohol.

The accused, Mr Crotty, stands on trial before the Special Criminal Court accused of facilitating Mr Kirwan’s murder, by topping up a mobile phone on behalf of Mr Sean McGovern, latter not as yet currently before the court.
Mr Sean McGovern, who was one of the men injured during the attack at the Regency Hotel in 2016, has been named in the Special Criminal Court, as a significant figure acting in a leadership role from within the Kinahan organised crime group.

The prosecution alleges that Mr Crotty purchased a mobile phone credit, at a Spar shop in Naas, Co Kildare, on December 21st, 2016. Same was purchased on behalf of the aforementioned Mr Sean McGovern; an acquaintance of Mr Crotty for some years; the latter having made this phone credit purchase, in the knowledge that it would be used, in the commission of the serious crime of murder.

The prosecution intends to call evidence that Mr Kirwan’s movements were being monitored by a tracking device that had been attached to his motor vehicle.

The attack at the Regency Hotel, Whitehall, Dublin, where the Irish criminal Mr David Byrne was shot dead and a number of others injured, when gunmen opened fire during a boxing weigh-in in 2016, is understood to form the background to the unfortunate death of Mr Kirwan.

Government Approval To Draft Legislation Enhancing CAB Powers Secured.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has announced plans for legislation to further strengthen the State’s ability to seize criminal assets.

Giving details of a Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2024, which will make significant changes to the Proceeds of Crime Act, the minister said that following Cabinet approval, she expected the Bill to be drafted and brought before the Oireachtas this year.

Noting that the Bill will strengthen the ability of the Criminal Assets Bureau to target the proceeds of crime, the Minister said: “Last year, over 600 asset profilers worked tirelessly, all over the country, in different Garda divisions, operating as the eyes and ears of CAB.
Their job is to deliver first-hand knowledge of criminality in their local areas. Now, this new Bill will ensure that when, on foot of their great work, a Court determines property is the proceeds of crime, immediate action can be taken to ensure that the holder immediately loses the benefit of it. It also speeds up the process to dispose of the asset for the benefit of the State.
As it stands presently, once the High Court has determined that an asset is a proceed of crime, it can take at least seven years before it may be ultimately confiscated. This proposed Bill will reduce that period to two years.
We know crime has no respect for national borders which is why I am pleased that the Bill will also see improved information exchange powers between CAB and law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions.
Provisions such as these send a message to those involved in organised criminality that they will not be allowed to enjoy the profits of their illegal activity, and it will show communities that we take organised crime extremely seriously”.

Between 1996 and 2022, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) denied and deprived criminals of over €210 million worth of assets, that were returned to the Exchequer. Of this latter sum, €35.5 million was under the proceeds of crime legislation.

Referring to CAB’s success, Minister McEntee noted: “The Criminal Asset Bureau (CAB) has been a vital tool in our arsenal in the fight against organised crime. It hits criminals where it hurts; in their pockets by targeting the ill-gotten gains through criminal conduct.
This Bill will support CAB further in its important work. That is why I am pleased to be able to publish it and as I do, I would like to take this opportunity to again acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Chief Bureau Officer Mr Mick Gubbins and all of the staff and agencies involved in CAB.”

The Minister also highlighted the work her Department has also made in reinvesting the proceeds of crime, in tandem with the work of CAB.

In 2021 the government established the Community Safety Innovation Fund, which reinvests proceeds of crime, returned to the Exchequer by CAB, back into communities to fund innovative local projects aimed at building stronger, safer communities.

Under Budget 2024, €7.9m will be allocated towards community safety initiatives, including €3.75m for the Community Safety Innovation Fund, which is an increase of almost €1 million on last year.

Minister McEntee said: “Putting this money back into the community is a really tangible way of showing that there can be a direct link between the activities of law enforcement and improved feelings of community safety.
It is vital that we empower our communities to proactively address safety concerns and in the process, build stronger, safer communities and I’ve said consistently that the people who are best placed to know and respond to local safety issues are communities themselves.
This fund reflects the continued successes of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau seizing the ill-gotten gains of criminals and I was delighted that we were able to increase the size of this fund under Budget 2024″.

Following Government approval, the General Scheme of the Bill will now be forwarded to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice for pre-legislative scrutiny, in accordance with Dáil Standing Order 173.

Cashel Man To Go On Trial In Special Criminal Court Accused Of Murder Of Innocent Man.

A Cashel, Co. Tipperary man is expected to go on trial before three presiding Judges; namely Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, Judge Ms Sarah Berkeley and Judge Ms Grainne Malone, at the Special Criminal Court, Dublin tomorrow, after he pleaded not guilty yesterday, to assisting a known criminal gang murder Mr Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwan, an innocent man, who had no known involvement in any criminality.

Mr Kirwan, aged 62 years, was, sadly, shot six times resulting in his death, as he sat in his motor vehicle, at St. Ronan’s Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, just 3 days before Christmas, on December 22nd, 2016.

At the court on Monday, Mr Michael Crotty, aged 41 years, with an address at Slí Aonghusa, Aras na Rí, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, pleaded not guilty to facilitating the criminal organisation, who are believed to have been involved in the murder of Mr Kirwan.

Mr Crotty is accused that between October 20th, 2016 and December 22nd, 2016, within the State and with the knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, did participate in, or contribute by activity, or by being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission by a criminal organisation or any of its members of a serious offence, to wit: the murder of Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwan, contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal justice Act.

The trial, which is scheduled to last up to five weeks, is to begin at the Special Criminal Court tomorrow, Wednesday January 17th.

On Friday last, at the Special Criminal Court, a co-accused and senior Kinahan cartel member, Mr Declan Brady (aka ‘Mr Nobody) had already pleaded guilty to the same charge.
Mr Brady, with an address at St. Wolstan’s Abbey, Celbridge, Co Kildare, who currently remains in custody for other offences, pleaded guilty to the single charge against him and will now also appear before the court tomorrow, when a date will be set for his sentencing.

Previously, Mr Brady had pleaded guilty, back in July 2019, to supervising an arsenal which included an assault rifle and thousands of rounds of ammunition, located stashed in a Dublin business park. Following this offence he had already been sentenced to 10.5 years in prison. In 2021, the same Mr Brady had further pleaded guilty to laundering hundreds of thousands of Euros in cash; earned through proceeds of crime in 2017.

New Garda Recruitment Campaign.

Significant increase in training allowance.
New trainees to receive €305 per week.
Change to age requirements opens role to 35 to 50 year olds for first time.

The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, has welcomed the new recruitment campaign for An Garda Síochána, which opens for applications today and closes on Thursday 8 February.

Noting that recruitment into An Garda Síochána has accelerated following the forced closure of the Garda College to intakes, due to Covid-19, the Minister said: “I am very pleased to see Garda recruits once again regularly entering training at Templemore, and this competition will ensure there is a continuous pipeline of new trainees.
As a government we allocated the highest ever budget of €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2024. That included funding for between 800 and 1,000 new Gardaí, and I hope, and indeed expect, that there will be a strong response to this campaign.
I encourage anyone who believes they can make a positive contribution as a Garda to consider putting their name forward.
Policing is a career in which no two days will be the same – it can be exciting, rewarding and undoubtedly challenging, but it offers a great opportunity to have a positive impact in the community and to be a part of a modern, inclusive police service that has the respect and trust of the Irish public.”

The last Garda recruitment campaign which closed in April 2023, received approximately 5,000 applications.

Both the Government and Garda Commissioner have said they are committed to reflecting the increasing diversity in Irish Society by ensuring that all communities see themselves reflected in An Garda Síochána. The Garda Commissioner has also put a strong focus on equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds to join An Garda Síochána through this campaign.

Noting recent changes made to the eligibility requirements and increased training allowance, Minister McEntee added: “We have significantly increased the training allowance for trainee Gardaí, to €305 per week. Given that, and the decision to increase the maximum age of recruitment from 35 to 50, I believe we are opening up policing as a career option to a new cohort of people who will bring a range of different life and career experiences to the table.
Across 2023 we have seen recruitment into An Garda Síochána gain real momentum. And with unprecedented funding recently allocated for equipment and wellbeing initiatives, and recent increases in frontline supervisors, I believe those who join will be supported as they take on what I know can be a challenging job.
Our Gardaí do vital work every day investigating crime, supporting victims and maintaining the security of the state. Given that my top priority is building stronger, safer communities, I want to express my gratitude to them for their outstanding dedication and commitment and I hope this competition will lead to many more joining their ranks.”

Prospective candidates can visit publicjobs.ie for more information on how to apply.

Closing Date for the competition is Thursday 8th February 2024.