Posted by ‘Victims Deserve Better..we will rebuild Trust’
VICTIMS of domestic violence, national security and the threat posed by transnational crime groups are “key priorities” for new Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly.
Ireland’s most senior officer – who has 33 years policing experience – outlined his vision for the force at his first press conference in Dublin this afternoon.
Commissioner Kelly – who thanked Garda boss Drew Harris for his seven-year service as head of the force – also told how rural crime, online extremism and the murder of Kyran Durnin were also at the top of his agenda.
Other key areas included the mid-level crime gangs involved in violent feuds in the capital, ongoing efforts to dismantle the Kinahan cartel and other major gangs, drug related intimidation, attacks on frontline Gardai, community policing, roads policing and increasing high-visibility patrols.
And the top investigator also spoke about the roll-out of body worn cameras, anti-social behaviour and plans to introduce Tasers to members of the force.
Commissioner Kelly – who will pocket a salary of €314,512 – made the comments on domestic violence just two days after we revealed how Mark Jackson, 43, was being released from prison just two years after he was jailed for terrorising his wife Louise, 44, in a terrifying campaign of coercive control. The top investigator said: “One of my key areas of focus over the coming months and years is to improve how we engage with victims of crime, particularly victims of domestic violence.
“We’ve seen two recent reports, one from the Gardai Inspectors and a second report from Women’s Aid, and it’s laid out in stark terms – a significant amount of victims aren’t happy with the service.
“So, this is something that’s really important to me that we look at and we address. In tandem with this, we need to get our engagement with the public right every time.
Who Watches the Watchers? 