THE GOVERNMENT HAS cleared the way for Paul Cleary to be appointed the new deputy garda commissioner.

The role will see him take over responsibility for An Garda Síochána’s operations associated with national security, strategy development and performance improvement.

Cleary is a well-known figure in An Garda Síochána, particularly in Dublin, and has worked in the past on major investigations targeting gangland.

As a detective inspector and detective superintendent in Kevin Street Garda Station he led detectives in the high profile probe into the Hutch/Kinahan feud murder of Daithí Douglas which resulted in noted criminal figure Freddie Thompson being jailed for life. 

He was also one of the lead officers in Operation Thistle, which was the garda’s Dublin based effort to focus probes on the activities of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group.

He was also involved in the case that found Dutch criminal and Kinahan associate Noufal Fassih hiding in an apartment in Dublin city centre. 

More recently, he has held positions as assistant commissioner in the Eastern Region and in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. He was the lead officer examining the force’s handling of the Dublin riot. The police officer has also been in charge of the force’s cyber crime bureau. 

Cleary, who is in his 50s, has been a garda for more than 30 years. He has been serving as acting deputy commissioner since September 2025.

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan brought the appointment to cabinet today and congratulated Cleary. 

“Paul has served in a variety of operational policing roles and led several successful serious crime investigations. His outstanding experience will be of immense value to the Garda organisation,” he added.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly welcomed the appointment:

“Paul brings to this role a broad wealth of policing experience and expertise amassed across a varied and distinguished career in An Garda Síochána.

“Indeed his career to date has seen him serve in a variety of leadership and operational policing roles, which began in Dublin first at Fitzgibbon Street and then at the North Central Divisional Drugs Unit at Store Street. In his career he has led many complex criminal investigations as a senior investigating officer.

“Paul is a valuable member of the Senior Leadership team, and he is highly regarded for his proactive and positive leadership style,” he said.