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Justice minister Charlie Flanagan has officially opened Kevin Street Garda Station in Dublin ahead of new Garda Commissioner Drew Harris\u2019s first day on the job<\/p>\nJustice minister Charlie Flanagan has officially opened Kevin Street Garda Station in Dublin ahead of new Garda Commissioner Drew Harris\u2019s first day on the job<\/p>\n
The South Central Headquarters has undergone refurbishment, including new infrastructure for garda training and development and a prisoner detention facility.<\/p>\n
The refurbishment is part of continuing investment by the Government in An Garda Siochana.<\/p>\n
Kevin Street, one of the most historical stations in the country, has had a complete redesign.<\/p>\n
Other investments include a target of a 21,000-strong workforce by 2021, and \u20ac342m in new ICT equipment.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the opening, Mr Flanagan congratulated Acting Garda Commissioner Donall O Cualain on his final days in the role and said he had no reservations about the new commissioner, who is due to start on September 3.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m satisfied Drew Harris will be an excellent commissioner, he brings a wide range of expertise and experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cI note that he has been referred to as an outsider \u2013 I reject that. He is an experienced policeman, he spent all of his career on police issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is an Irishman, and he has worked closely with An Garda Siochana in his years with the PSNI.\u201d<\/p>\n
The appointment of Mr Harris caused controversy when a victim of the North’s Troubles initiated court proceedings against the hiring of the former PSNI deputy chief constable.<\/p>\n
Ciaran MacAirt, whose grandmother Kathleen Irvine was killed in the McGurk\u2019s pub bombing, said Mr Harris could not be independent in the Garda role as he is bound by the UK\u2019s Official Secrets Act in regard to past investigations into incidents during the Troubles.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am absolutely satisfied by the independence of the hiring process and the professionalism of the persons involved,\u201d Mr Flanagan added.<\/p>\n
\u201cDrew Harris served with distinction in Northern Ireland, in very difficult circumstances, saw first hand the Troubles on the island of Ireland with the loss of his father.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pressed on whether Mr Harris has an Irish passport, Mr Flanagan reiterated: \u201cHe is a policeman, he is an Irishman, he is not an outsider, and I think he will be an excellent Garda Commissioner.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr MacAirt\u2019s application for a judicial review against Mr Harris was dismissed by a judge in the High Court.<\/p>\n