THE four chief superintendents promoted to assistant, commissioner yesterday are, Martin McQuinn (57), who, becomes the new Southern Regional commander, based in, Cork city. His region covers Limerick, Kerry, Cork East and Cork West. He is currently chief superintendent in Bandon, in charge of the Cork West Division, and he lives in Cork city. He joined the force in August 1959 and has also served in Dublin, Mayo, Monaghan, and Limerick. He replaced the current commissioner, Mr Patrick Culligan, as chief superintendent in Castlebar, Co Mayo, in 1987 and then transferred to Limerick for two years before taking up his position in Bandon five years ago.
Tom King (50), becomes Northern Regional Commander, based in Sligo and with responsibility for Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan. A native of Ballyconneely, Co Galway, he joined the force in 1965. He was worked for much of his career in the Crime and Security Section and has been responsible for security operations surrounding the visits of Presidents Clinton and Reagan, Prince Charles, and was in the post during Ireland's last EU Presidency. He is the International Liaison officer and deals with Interpol and the newly created Europol. He served for a period with the United Nations in Cyprus and has an MA degree in Management Science.
Jim McHugh (55), becomes Southeastern Regional Commander, based in Kilkenny, and with responsibility for Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Tipperary. He joined the force in 1962 and became a detective sergeant in 1974 and a detective inspector in 1979, serving in central Dublin stations. He has served most of his career as a detective in Dublin before moving as superintendent to the Investigation Section in Garda Headquarters, where he had responsibility for a number of high profile investigations. He was in charge of the investigation into the tapping of Mr John Bruton's car phone in 1992.
Joseph Long (54), becomes Western Regional Commander, based in Galway, with responsibility for Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Clare. He has served almost his entire career in Cork city and was promoted from superintendent in Gurranabraher to chief superintendent for Cork East Riding division in 1991. He began his career in 1963 in Union Quay Station, Cork, and apart from brief periods in Tipperary and Fermoy has served throughout the city. The Cork gardai last year had the best record in the force for reducing crime levels in 1995.
Assistant Commissioner, Tommy O'Leary moves from Garda Headquarters, where he had responsibility for Services, to become Eastern Regional Commander, based in Mullingar. He has responsibility for Longford, Westmeath, Laois, Offaly, Carlow, Kildare, Louth and Meath.
Assistant Commissioner Pat O'Toole remains in his position as officer in charge of the Dublin Metropolitan Area, based in the DMA Headquarters in Harcourt Square.
Three assistant commissioners remain serving in Garda Headquarters at Phoenix Park, Dublin. They are Hugh Sreenan, who has responsibility for personnel, planning, training and research Barney Curran, who has responsibility for Services (formerly the responsibility of Tommy O'Leary) and Finance.
In addition, the two deputy Commissioners, P.J. Moran and Pat Byrne, remain in Garda Headquarters along with Commissioner Culligan.