MINISTER FOR Justice Alan Shatter is to ask the Cabinet to approve the appointment of three senior Garda officers to the rank of assistant commissioner, the third most senior rank in the force.
The vacancies are being filled despite the public-sector promotions moratorium because two key posts have been vacant for many months, while a number of assistant commissioners are expected to leave the force in the near future.
There are a range of posts at superintendent and chief superintendent rank vacant across the Garda.
While competitions are being held to fill some of these posts, security sources said it would be unwise to also leave key assistant commissioner posts vacant long term.
Among those selected for promotion is Det Chief Supt Tony Quilter, the head of the Garda National Drugs Unit, who also leads the Garda Technical Bureau.
He will be joined in the assistant commissioner ranks by Chief Supt Gerry Philips, who is based in Ballymun, north Dublin, where he presides over policing in the Garda’s Dublin Metropolitan North region.
Chief Supt Dónal Ó Cualáin, who is based in Galway, has also been approved for promotion.
Chief Supt Ó Cualáin has been in charge of policing in all of the Garda divisions in Co Galway.
The three officers were selected for promotion to the rank of assistant commissioner following a competitive process before a selection panel, which included Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan.
The three men will not be promoted immediately. Instead, Mr Shatter will bring their names to Cabinet, probably next month, where the promotions are expected to be approved.
At least two of the three officers will take up their new posts immediately, filling two long-term vacancies at assistant commissioner rank.
The post of assistant commissioner in charge of the eastern region, based in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, has been vacant since the retirement of Dermot Jennings earlier this year.
Some gardaí believe Chief Supt Philips is most likely to move there.
The post of assistant commissioner in charge of strategy and training, based in Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin, has been vacant since last year when Louis Harkin retired.
It is unclear whether Chief Supt Quilter or Chief Supt Ó Cualáin will fill that post. While a third vacancy does not currently arise, this is expected to change in coming months with further retirements from the rank.
There are 12 posts at assistant commissioner level. The only ranks higher in the Garda are those of deputy commissioner, of which there are two, and commissioner.