The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, has announced the appointment of the first woman to the rank of assistant commissioner in the Garda Síochána.
Ms Catherine Clancy, currently chief superintendent in charge of the Donegal division, was appointed to the position yesterday.
Mr Noel Smith, chief superintendent in charge of the Dublin metropolitan region, south division, was also appointed to the position of assistant commissioner.
The two are now amongst 10 assistant commissioners, with only Garda Commissioner Mr Noel Conroy and his two deputy commissioners, Mr Facthna Murphy and Mr Peter Fitzgerald, more senior than them.
Ms Clancy (49) is from Donegal. She joined the force in 1975 and first first worked at Pearse Street Garda station, Dublin. She has also worked in Naas, Ballyshannon, Dungarvan and Lucan, and has served in the Garda technical bureau, community relations and in Cambodia, on UN duty. She was appointed to the position of sergeant in 1989, inspector in 1993, superintendent in 1996, and chief superintendent in 1999.
Mr Smith (58) is from Cavan. He joined the force in 1964. He has worked at 12 Garda stations around the State and on UN duty in the former Yugoslavia.
He was appointed to the rank of sergeant in 1978, inspector in 1986, superintendent in 1992 and chief superintendent in 1996.
