Government appoints new Garda Deputy Commissioner
- Published on: 26 May 2026
- Last updated on: 26 May 2026
The Government has approved the appointment of a new Deputy Commissioner in An Garda Síochána with effect from today’s date (26 May).
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan has announced the appointment of Paul Cleary to the post of Deputy Commissioner, following a recent open competition conducted by publicjobs.
Announcing the appointment Minister O’Callaghan said:
"I want to congratulate Paul Cleary on his appointment to this critical leadership role in An Garda Síochána. Paul has served with An Garda Síochána for over thirty years and has held a number of senior leadership roles throughout the organisation.
“He has been serving as acting Deputy Commissioner for Security, Strategy and Governance since September 2025. I am very pleased to confirm his appointment to the role of Deputy Commissioner on a permanent basis following government approval today.
“Paul has served in a variety of operational policing roles and led several successful serious crime investigations. His outstanding experience will be of immense value to the Garda organisation."
The appointment of Paul Cleary follows an open competition conducted by publicjobs on behalf of the Minister under Section 27 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.
This competition opened on 27 February and closed on 19 March 2026 involving an international search for suitably qualified candidates.
ENDS…///
Note for Editors
Acting Deputy Commissioner Cleary is from Dublin and joined An Garda Síochána in 1993.
Paul’s career began in Dublin first at Fitzgibbon Street and then at the North Central Divisional Drugs Unit at Store Street before serving as a detective in Store Street and with the Special Detective Unit.
In his role as a Detective Inspector in Kevin Street and later as a Detective Superintendent in West Dublin he led a number of high-profile complex investigations.
He has held leadership roles in a variety of specialist units, including as Chief Superintendent in charge of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, Detective Chief Superintendent in charge of the Garda National Technical Bureau, Operational Support Services and led the nationwide expansion of the Garda National Cybercrime Bureau.
More recently, he has held positions as Assistant Commissioner in the Eastern Region and in the DMR, where he was instrumental in the roll out of high visibility policing.
Paul Cleary has been serving as Acting Deputy Commissioner since September 2025.
