The ceremony took place at the new Garda Station on Kevin Street in the early hours.
Drew Harris, Ireland’s new Garda Commissioner as of first thing Monday morning, has said that he aims to be transparent and open to concerns raised internally and externally within An Garda Síochána.
At the ceremony – which was held in new “state-of-the-art” Garda Station on Kevin Street – Harris said will be particularly focused on ensuring the Gardaí do all they can to protect the vulnerable.
In a letter which had been sent to all Gardaí prior to his swearing in, he also said he envisaged a police service that is “responsive, accountable and fit for purpose” with its primary objective being the safety and security of citizens.
Commissioner Drew Harris took up his role at 00.01 this morning at Kevin Street Garda Station. pic.twitter.com/vYt2HOFWHY
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) September 2, 2018
The swearing-in ceremony took place before an audience of justice officials, Gardaí, and members of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, the Policing Authority and Garda representative associations at the new premises south of the river.
The 53-year-old recited a declaration at the new Divisional Headquarters stating that he plans to uphold the Constitution and discharge all of his duties according to law.
“I, Jeremy Andrew Harris, hereby solemnly and sincerely declare before God that I will faithfully discharge the duties of commissioner of An Garda Síochána with fairness, integrity, regard for human rights, diligence and impartiality, upholding the Constitution and laws according to equal respect of all people.
“While I continue to be commissioner, I will to the best of my skill and knowledge discharge all my duties according to law, and I do not belong to, and will not while I remain commissioner, form, belong to or subscribe to, any political party or secret society whatsoever.”
He then signed the oath, the Garda Code of Ethics and the Official Secrets Act.
Harris, a former deputy constable of the Northern Ireland Police Service, marks the first such appointment from outside the State.
Referencing this, he said at the ceremony: “There has been some talk about my team. An Garda Síochána is now my team.
“It is my responsibility to lead the organisation and I very much look forward to working with all Garda members, Garda staff and Garda reserves to provide this country with the high quality policing and security service it wants and deserves.”
He succeeds acting commissioner Dónall Ó Cualáin, who took over from Nóirín O’Sullivan following her retirement from the force last September. Ó Cualáin stepped down from his post at midnight.
Main image via @GardaInfo
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