New Garda Chief to be assigned to Laois Offaly in the 'very near' future

A recent meeting heard calls for a new Garda Chief Superintendent to be assigned to the Laois Offaly Kildare Garda Division. 

After 41 years of distinguished service with over a decade at the helm in Laois, Chief Superintendent John Scanlan retired in April of this year. 

An event marking his retirement was attended by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris among other notable figures.

The lack of a Garda Chief Superintendent in the division was raised by Minister of State Sean Fleming, who said he hadn’t been present during the Chief Supt’s last Laois Joint Policing Committee meeting in Portlaoise in March. 

“I would like to join with the words of praise for our retired Chief Superintendent John Scanlan,”  said Minister Fleming. 

“What’s the progress in getting a new Chief Superintendent into this division? He was a very strong Chief Superintendent. The area benefited from him and I wouldn’t like to see a period of months elapsing without having a Chief Superintendent,” said Minister Fleming. 

He suggested that Laois Joint Policing Committee should write to the Garda Commissioner asking for the position to be filled as soon as possible.

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Garda Superintendent Eamon Curley said he expected the position to be filled in the “very near” future. 

He said a promotion list with the Garda Commissioner and he expected that following the next meeting of the policing authority, an announcement might be made. The policing authority is due to meet at the end of this month.