Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has appointed a former member of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate as its new chief inspector.

Mark Toland took up the position on 6 November. He has over 30 years of policing experience with the British Metropolitan Police Service, and served on the Garda Inspectorate from 2012 to 2016.

Toland was appointed to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) in December 2016.

Resignation

He has tendered his resignation from GSOC in accordance with provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

The Government has also appointed Hugh Hume, a member of the PSNI, to the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. 

Minister Flanagan said: “In providing independent advice on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Garda Síochána, the inspectorate plays an important role in the modernisation and strengthening of the Garda Síochána.

"Mark Toland, together with his colleagues, Pauline Shields and Hugh Hume in the inspectorate, will be able to draw on a considerable body of international policing experience to carry forward its valuable work.”