Law « Thurles Information

Ms Joan Crawford Appointed CEO Of Legal Aid Board.

The Minister for Justice Mr Simon Harris has today announced the appointment of Ms Joan Crawford as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Legal Aid Board.

The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to people of modest means. As CEO, Ms Crawford will be responsible for managing a budget of €56 million as well as providing leadership and strategic direction to a team of more than 520 staff, across the Irish State.

Ms Crawford’s appointment follows an open recruitment process held by the Public Appointments Service and selection by the Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC).

Announcing the appointment, Minister Harris said: “I congratulate Ms Crawford on becoming the first female CEO of the Legal Aid Board. Over the past 20 years, Joan has built up a wealth of experience, both in front-line service delivery and across a variety of leadership roles.
The Legal Aid Board is central to ensuring fair access to justice for people of limited means, access to mediation for couples separating or divorcing and driving improvements in how the family justice system works for children and families.
I wish Joan the very best in her new role and look forward to seeing how her experience and expertise will contribute to the many future-facing developments that are happening in relation to the Legal Aid Board, including the ongoing Review of the Civil Legal Scheme.”

Minister Harris also thanked outgoing CEO Mr John McDaid for his service: “Mr McDaid is a consummate professional who has shown strong leadership since he was first appointed in 2014.
This was particularly evident during the difficult period of Covid, when he ensured that front-line services were maintained. especially in the area of domestic and family law.
His tireless advocacy for improvements in the delivery of legal aid and advice, for reform of the family justice system more generally and his commitment to developing family mediation services, aligns with many of the goals and actions in my Department’s Family Justice Strategy.
I hope John takes great pride in the valuable service he has given.”

Speaking about her own appointment, Ms Crawford said: “It is a great honour to be appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Legal Aid Board.
By providing essential legal services to those who need them most and mediation services for couples separating or divorcing, our organisation plays an important role in society, paving a pathway for people to resolve their disputes, seek protection, or vindicate their rights.
We have a dedicated and diverse workforce who aspire to excellence in service of our clients. Together, we will work to overcome present and future challenges and evolve as an organisation that continues to place the client, access to justice, and problem solving at the core of our decision-making.
I believe the Board possesses the ability and standing to provide leadership and initiative in family justice reform. Working closely with all those with an interest in the services provided by the Board, we will make the most of the opportunity presented by the Family Justice Strategy 2022-2025 to bring about a more streamlined and user-friendly system which places children and the family at its centre.”

Ms Nuala Jackson SC, Chairperson of the Legal Aid Board, added: “Ms Crawford’s appointment marks a new era for the Legal Aid Board. I look forward to working with her to advance the attainment of access to justice and alternative dispute resolution through the dedication and commitment of all members of the Legal Aid Board family.
Ms Crawford has already enjoyed a stellar career promoting the aims and objectives of the Legal Aid Board and I know that she will continue to do so as she assumes her leadership role within the organisation.”

Gardaí In Thurles Seize White Powder Capsules.

**Picture courtesy of An Garda Síochána, Tipperary**.

Gardaí in Thurles, Co. Tipperary who searched a man, latter observed as acting suspiciously on Friday last; seized a number of capsules containing white powder, together with a weighing scale and a pack containing zip-lock bags.

The man was arrested and charged on suspicion of being in possession of drugs for sale or supply. The substance seized, subject to further clarification, was valued at approximately €1,000.

Other Garda News

Child Struck by Motor Vehicle.

A child, male and aged under 6 years, has been hospitalised, following an accident at Carrowclough, Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary.

At around 6:20pm last evening, the child was struck by a motorised vehicle. He was initially removed to Tipperary University Hospital, in Clonmel, but we understand that he has since been transferred to Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Rotunda, Dublin 1.

Three Men Injured in Single Vehicle Collision.

Shortly before 6.30am this morning a motor vehicle collided with a pole in Dundrum, 13.6km from Tipperary Town. Three men, all occupants of the vehicle were taken to University Hospital Limerick.

Witnesses to either of the above incidents are being asked to contact Tipp Town Gardaí, Tel: No. 062 51212 or indeed any Garda Station.

New Garda Recruitment Campaign Announced.

1,000 new Garda recruits to enter Templemore in 2023.

The Minister for Justice, Mr Simon Harris TD, has today announced that a new recruitment campaign for An Garda Síochána will open for applications on this Friday, March 24th 2023, for three weeks.

This new recruitment campaign will assist in the recruitment of 1,000 new Gardaí this year, as provided for in Budget 2023, and will secure a strong pipeline of recruits into the Garda College, Templemore, Co. Tipperary, into the future.

Speaking today, the Minister for Justice stated: “A career in An Garda Síochána is a challenging but rewarding one. It will change your life and the lives of others – having a personal impact on the community you serve will give you a sense of achievement like nothing else. Being a Garda is a tough job, but is a job worth doing.

Few institutions in Irish life are as respected as An Garda Síochána. The close connection between Gardaí and the communities they serve is the envy of police services around the world.

Recruiting 1,000 Gardaí in 2023 is central to the Government’s commitment to build stronger, safer communities, and I know there will be people listening today who will hear this and think that they too can work with us to deliver on that mission.

Policing is not a career for the faint of heart – it is a career for those with strong initiative and perseverance, tolerance, composure, a strong moral compass and most importantly respect and compassion for the communities that they serve. To protect and to serve in An Garda Síochána is a worthwhile and valued career, and I would like to encourage anyone who feels up to the job to consider applying.”

Both the Government and Garda Commissioner are committed to increasing diversity within An Garda Síochána and ensuring that all communities see themselves reflected in our police service. The Garda Commissioner has put a welcome focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, as An Garda Síochána seek to embed the principle that human rights are the foundation and the purpose of policing in Ireland.

This has included changes to Garda uniform policy, the establishment of the Garda National Diversity Forum, representation from diverse and minority communities in An Garda Síochána, the establishment of a Garda internship programme focused on attracting candidates belonging to a group at greater risk of inequality or social exclusion in Irish society. An Garda Síochána are working to finalise an updated Equality, Diversity and Integration Strategy.

Minister Harris said: “It is incredibly important that a modern police service reflects the communities that it serves. If An Garda Síochána better reflects the rich diversity of Irish society, they will be better able to understand the different needs and concerns of the communities they serve and in turn make those communities stronger and safer.

An Garda Síochána is an inclusive organisation to work for, not only regardless of but embracing of your race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and socio-economic background”.

Visit HERE for more information on how to apply.

There are currently over 200 trainees in the Garda College, Templemore, Co. Tipperary, derived from the most recent recruitment campaign launched in 2022 by Minster Mrs Helen McEntee.

The Garda Commissioner has outlined to the Minister his intention that four further tranches of around 225 recruits will enter Templemore throughout the rest of 2023, provided for by candidates from the previous campaign and later supplemented by the new recruitment campaign being launched by Minister Harris.

Tipperary Garda Search Result In Five Arrests For Serious Offences.

Tipperary Gardaí based in Clonmel conducted a joint-agency search operation yesterday, operating alongside personnel from Revenue Customs Service, the ISPCA and the Irish Defence Forces.

**Distressing pictures released courtesy of An Garda Síochána**

During the course of their search, Gardaí seized suspected drugs together with three caravans, which they believe had been stolen.

Fifteen dogs and three horses were also taken into care, rescued by the ISPCA, latter the leading animal welfare charity here in Ireland, which specialise in rescue, animal welfare and preventing animal cruelty.

During the course of the search operation, five persons were arrested for various offences.

Clonmel District Gardaí Seek Your Help.

Gardaí in the Clonmel District of Co. Tipperary, are seeking the assistance of the public, in relation to investigations into five incidents over the course of last weekend (10th March to 12th March inclusive), where parked vans were broken into or interfered with.
* Overnight on Friday 10th – Saturday 11th March 2023, a van parked in the Prior Park Hill estate in Clonmel, was forcibly entered and a number of tools removed.
* At approximately 11:00pm on Friday 10th – Saturday 11th March 2023, a van parked on Main Street, Fethard was forcibly entered and a number of tools removed. From enquiries it has been established that at least three suspects were involved in forcibly opening the van and were observed leaving the area in a small dark-coloured hatchback car.
* Overnight on Saturday 11th – Sunday 12th March a van parked in the Auburn Park Estate in Clonmel was entered and a number of tools removed.
* Overnight on Friday 10th – Saturday 11th March a van parked in the Glenview Estate in Carrick-on-Suir was interfered with.
* Over the course of the weekend, from the evening of Friday 10th – morning of Monday 13th March a van parked in the Killaghy Crescent Estate, Mullinahone was forcibly entered and a number of tools removed.

Enquiries are ongoing into these incidents and anyone with any information is asked to contact Clonmel Garda Station (District HQ), Telephone: 052-6177640 or the Garda Confidential Line Free-phone 1800 666 111.

Gardaí are advising the public to lock parked or unattended vehicles at all times, day and night, and to avoid keeping any sums of money or other items of value in parked vehicles.