'Key' appointments in shake-up of Donegal Garda Division

The Donegal Garda Division is set for a shake-up with some new appointments to senior positions.

Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn officially retires on Tuesday. A successor has not yet been announced.

Inspector Sean Grant told Friday's meeting of the Joint Policing Committee that several new Detective Sergeants and Detective Gardai have been appointed in Donegal.

Inspector David Durkin is the Inspector in charge of crime while Inspector Siobhán Mollohan has been appointed to the Divisional Protective Services Unit (DPSU).

Retiring Chief Super says Donegal Gardai must keep 'affiliations' with local communities

Terry McGinn has been the Chief Superintendent in the Donegal Division since 2005 and will retire on Tuesday, ending 40 years of service in An Garda Siochana

“Key positions have been filled,” Inspector Grant said. “We have also bolstered the detective branch.”

In 2019, it was revealed that the Donegal and Sligo-Leitrim Divisions would be merged with a new Divisional headquarters in Letterkenny.

Friday's meeting heard calls for Donegal to remain as a stand-alone Division.

“Donegal is unique insofar as there are five big fishing ports, which bring their own problems, a porous border and an international airport,” Mr James Trearty, a PPN representative, said, asking elected representatives to consider making a proposal on the matter.

Councillor Michael McBride said it 'makes sense' for Donegal to be a stand-alone division. “This is a massive county with a massive network of roads,” he said.

Inspector Grant said there was not yet a definitive outline of how the new operating model will play out, but that the nuances of Donegal had been relayed.

JPC Chairperson Councillor Gerry McMonagle said he had spoken to the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, on two occasions and expressed those opinions.

Mr Joe Boland, a PPN representative, said the failure of the Commissioner to meet with the JPC was 'an insult'.

“He has not made any kind of effort to come and discuss issues,” he said. “I feel that the lack of recognition to this part of the country is terrible.”