THE NEXT Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will be Claire Loftus, who succeeds James Hamilton after his retirement on November 7th after 12 years in the position.
Ms Loftus was educated in University College Dublin, and qualified as a solicitor in 1992. She has over 18 years’ experience working in criminal law, most recently as the head of the directing division in the office of the DPP. She was previously the chief prosecution solicitor from 2001 to 2009.
She will be only the third DPP in the history of the State, and the first woman in the position. She is also the first solicitor.
The Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 established the office of the DPP as an independent entity. Previously, prosecutions were taken by the attorney general in the name of the people. The 1974 Act provided for the transfer to the DPP of all functions previously performed by the attorney general in relation to criminal matters and election and referendum petitions.
The first DPP was barrister Eamonn Barnes, who served from 1974 until 1999. He was succeeded by Mr Hamilton, also a barrister, who had previously worked in the office of the attorney general.
The DPP is charged with enforcing the criminal law in the courts on behalf of the people of Ireland, and directing public prosecutions on indictment. He or she gives general direction and advice to the Garda in relation to summary cases (in the District Courts) and specific direction in such cases where requested.