MINISTER FOR Justice Dermot Ahern has announced the appointment of Assistant Commissioner Nacie Rice to the position of Deputy Commissioner of An Garda Síochána.
Mr Rice takes up the position, the second most senior in the Garda, immediately. Mr Rice's promotion fills the vacancy left by the retirement on age grounds of former deputy Peter Fitzgerald.
In his new post Mr Rice will be responsible for strategy and change management across the force. In his most recent position as assistant commissioner he was in charge of crime and security and enjoyed a number of successes against organised crime gangs.
Mr Rice is from Castlebar, Co Mayo, and has been a member of the Garda for 36 years. He was appointed to the rank of assistant commissioner seven years ago.
He has served in counties Donegal and Louth. He also served in a number of postings in Dublin including in the Special Detective Unit, Pearse Street and Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin.
He has studied policing with the FBI in the US and also holds a BA in police management from the University of Limerick.
He met Mr Ahern at Government Buildings to accept the position officially. Mr Rice's appointment was approved at Wednesday's Cabinet meeting.