2 Irish officers chosen

IRELAND/United Nations: The United Nations yesterday included two Irish police officials in a fact-finding team to probe Israeli…

IRELAND/United Nations: The United Nations yesterday included two Irish police officials in a fact-finding team to probe Israeli actions in the Jenin refugee camp, reports Jim Cusack, Security Editor.

The Irish police officials were named as Inspector Patrick Leahy and Assistant Commissioner Dermot Jennings. The mission already includes Deputy Garda Commissioner Peter Fitzgerald.

Mr Jennings has served the bulk of his career in anti-crime and anti-subversive operations. Until December last year he was the chief superintendent in charge of criminal intelligence in the Crime and Security Branch at Garda Headquarters. On promotion he became the Assistant Commissioner in charge of the Garda Western Region based in Donegal. During his career he has been involved in arms confiscations of criminals and republican terrorists.

Inspector Leahy has served on a number of UN peace-keeping missions in the past 15 years. In 1989 he served in the policing element with the UN mission in Namibia which oversaw the transition to independence and the holding of elections. Five years later he also served in Cambodia which also oversaw the holding of elections.He is attached to Pearse Street station in Dublin.