The new Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy yesterday formally assumed his position following the retirement on age grounds of his predecessor Noel Conroy.
Mr Murphy, who was most recently Deputy Commissioner in charge of operations, has been a member of the force since 1967.
A native of Timoleague, Co Cork, he worked in a number of detective positions in stations across Dublin before joining the senior officer ranks in the 1990s.
He first came to prominence when as a detective chief superintendent he took charge of the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) on its inception in 1996 following the murder of Veronica Guerin.
He had been promoted to the rank of chief superintendent just months earlier and before taking up the posting in Cab was briefly in charge of the Dublin metropolitan eastern division.
He led Cab for three years during which time its structures were put in place.
He left his Cab post in 1999 when appointed to the rank of Assistant Commissioner.
In his most recent position as Deputy Commissioner in charge of operations he has been responsible for dictating the direction of the investigations against organised crime.
He has studied policing methods in the US and UK at degree and postgraduate level. Mr Murphy last night paid tribute to Mr Conroy saying he had given 44 years of distinguished service to An Garda Síochána.
"His dedication and professionalism were an example to all who worked with him over that time," he said.
"He provided strong leadership to the organisation and guided it through some challenging events and decisions."
Mr Murphy has already announced three changes within the ranks of senior management.
Deputy Commissioner Martin Callinan will move to the position vacated by Mr Murphy in charge of operations.
Mr Callinan was regarded as Mr Murphy's strongest rival to succeed Mr Conroy as Garda Commissioner.
He was previously Assistant Commissioner in charge of national support services, including all of the specialist investigative units within the force.
