The Government last night announced the appointment of Mr Fachtna Murphy (55) to the position of Deputy Commissioner Operations of An Garda Síochána. Mr Murphy's appointment was announced following yesterday's day-long Cabinet meeting.
He moves from the position of Assistant Commissioner, where he had special responsibility for human resource management. He is now the second most senior ranking garda in the State, along with fellow Deputy Commissioner Mr Peter Fitzgerald.
Mr Murphy's appointment follows a reshuffle among the ranks of senior gardaí. The former Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, had just retired and his position has been filled by Mr Noel Conroy, who worked as Deputy Commissioner.
Mr Murphy was the first Chief Bureau Officer of the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), which is now lead by Mr Felix McKenna. Mr Murphy's standing was bolstered by the success of CAB, which has been the most effective crime fighting agency in the history of the State.
A native of Timoleague, Co Cork, he joined the force in 1967. He served in Crumlin, Harcourt Square, Pearse Street, Ballyfermot and Dún Laoghaire. Even before his move to CAB, he had spent a large portion of his career investigating fraud. He was appointed to Assistant Commissioner rank in December 1999. He holds a first class honours Bachelor of Arts degree in police management and a Diploma in Management and Industrial Relations.
