Justin Kelly has been announced as the next Garda Commissioner and will take over from Drew Harris on 1 September.
He has been appointed by the Government after a Cabinet meeting.
Who is Justin Kelly?
Justin Kelly has been a member of An Garda Síochána for more than 30 years.
The Dubliner currently serves as Deputy Commissioner for Security, Strategy and Governance, having been appointed to the role last October.
Before that, as assistant commissioner for serious and organised crime, the 52-year-old was responsible for leading the force's response to drugs and organised crime, cybercrime, economic crime, immigration, crimes against vulnerable people as well as the needs of victims.
During his career, he was also detective chief superintendent in the Counter-Terrorism Unit, detective superintendent with the National Protective Services Bureau and detective inspector in the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
In these roles, Mr Kelly had responsibility for the response to domestic and international terrorism, violent political extremism and online child exploitation investigations.
He also served as a frontline sergeant, inspector and garda in Blanchardstown, Clondalkin and Tallaght in Dublin.
In 2001, Mr Kelly was seconded to work for the United Nations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where he monitored and built the capacity of local law enforcement.
He has a number of qualifications achieved through institutions in Ireland, the United States and the UK.
These include a first class master's degree in serious crime investigation from the University of Limerick and a masters in criminal justice from John Jay College in New York.
What challenges does Justin Kelly face as commissioner?
Since 2018, An Garda Síochána has been working to implement a number of initiatives to reform the force including a new operating model, improved technology and fostering diversity and inclusivity.
There has also been a focus on greater support and training for members as well as an enhanced service for the public.
Among Mr Kelly's main tasks will be the issue of recruitment and retention, which garda representative associations say has been allowed to reach "crisis levels".
They have concerns over the "high level" of resignations from the force as well as the struggle to recruit members.
The associations also have issues over salaries, particularly for new recruits and those serving in lower ranks.
Mr Kelly will also have to defend the new operating model in the face of strong criticism from the associations.
The Garda Representative Association (GRA) recognises that Mr Kelly has had a distinguished career in An Garda Síochána.
It says there are serious challenges ahead however in relation to morale, community policing and the retention of gardaí and the association is seeking a meeting with him.
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) has also welcomed the appointment, saying it has dealt with Mr Kelly in the past and that he has listened.
It says that when it had issues with the information management system (an administration system), Mr Kelly met with the AGSI, listened to it and made the changes.
The AGSI also said Mr Kelly needs to continue to listen and to continue to refocus An Garda Síochána.
