The Government has appointed Jane Mulcahy to the Policing Authority after an open competition conducted by the Public Appointments Service.

Mulcahy has worked as a researcher in the areas of criminal justice, penal policy and social justice since 2005, and is currently a Research Fellow with the Research Evidence into the Policy, Programmes and Practice (REPPP) team at the University of Limerick.

She is the manager of a pilot project seeking to reduce children’s involvement in criminal networks, and provide them with positive social opportunities.

New oversight body

Her appointment fills the vacancy left by Shalom Binchy, who was appointed a judge of the District Court earlier this year.

Mulcahy has been appointed for the period until 8 March 2024, or upon the dissolution of the authority following the enactment of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill, whichever is the sooner.

The bill, which will go to the Seanad in autumn, will result in the dissolution of the Policing Authority and the establishment of a new independent oversight body that will take over the functions of both the authority and the Garda Síochána Inspectorate.