Garda appointments announced in line with new Donegal operating model

In line with the new operating model for An Garda Siochana in Donegal, some new appointments and allocations have been confirmed.

As of April 27, the new model rolled out with Donegal now split into two community engagement, Donegal South and Donegal North, functional areas, replacing the old model of four Garda Districts -  Letterkenny, Buncrana, Milford and Ballyshannon. 

Each division is now comprised of four functional areas: community engagement, crime, performance assurance and business services. Each area is led by a Superintendent or acting superintendent with the exception of the business services functional area, which is led by an assistant principal. 

Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan, who was appointed in 2024, remains in the role for county Donegal.

Detective Superintendent Shaun Grant from Buncrana Garda Station has responsibility for Donegal Crime Functional Area.

Superintendent Karen Duffy, who is based at Ballyshannon Garda Station, now has responsibility for Donegal South Community Engagement Functional Area

Superintendent David Kelly, based at Milford Garda Station, will have responsibility for Donegal Performance Assurance Functional Area.

Assistant principal Lisa Canney has responsibility for the Donegal Business Services Functional Area. 

Letterkenny-based Inspector Paul Gallagher has responsibility for Donegal North Community Engagement Functional Area.

There is no superintendent currently based at Letterkenny Garda Station with the Letterkenny district known to be one of the busiest in the northern region of An Garda Siochana.

“We have been endeavouring to get more resources in Donegal to commence the model and we have certain undertakings from the organisation,” Detective Superintendent Michael Comyns, the general secretary of the Association of Garda Superintendents, told Donegal Live recently.

“We have concerns about changing over when there is no superintendent in charge of that particular area.

“There hasn’t been a superintendent in Letterkenny in some time and we have been given an undertaking that that vacancy will be filled. It will be filled as soon as the national promotion panel is sorted and that competition is about to be advertised, we understand.”

There are currently 424 gardai stationed in Donegal and under the new model, 148 of those cover an area that includes garda stations from Ballyshannon and all of south Donegal, up along the west coast as far as Creeslough and into Ballybofey and Castlefin.

The 424 figure was the last count made available regarding the number of gardai in the county, but this includes those off on sick leave or otherwise unavailable for duty. Donegal has consistently ranked near the bottom of the pile when it comes to the allocation of newly-attested gardai. 

All garda stations and former districts have been aligned to a community engagement functional area.

Donegal South Community Engagement area includes: Ballyshannon, Bundoran, Pettigo, Doniegal Town, Killybegs, Mountcharles, Ballintra, Ardara, Carrick, Glenties, Clogher, Dungloe, Burtonport, Bunbeg, Dunfanaghy, Creeslough, Falcarragh, Convoy, Castlefin and Ballybofey.

Donegal North Community Engagement area includes: Letterkenny, Raphoe, Carrigans, Newtowncunningham, Lifford, Milford, Kerrykeel, Kilmacrennan, Rathmullan, Ramelton, Carrigart, Buncrana, Muff, Moville, Clonmany, Burnfoot and Carndonagh.

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A Garda spokesperson said:  “The restructure reflects international best practice as well as the realities of modern day policing in Ireland, the changing nature of crime and population trends.

“It included restructuring at National, Regional and local levels to provide a greater focus on community policed based on local needs. The new model introduces major changes to the structures of An Garda Síochána by providing a wider range of policing services for people in their local area.”