THE NORTHERN Ireland Policing Board has unanimously elected vice-chairman Barry Gilligan as its new chairman, with effect from next month.
Mr Gilligan replaces Prof Sir Desmond Rea, who has chaired the body which oversees the PSNI since its creation in 2001.
Brian Rea, an independent member of the board, was elected as the new vice-chairman.
Mr Gilligan, a Belfast property developer, said he was honoured to have been elected, and he paid tribute to Sir Desmond.
“With the process now in place to facilitate the devolution of policing and justice [to Stormont], policing and the work of the board remains a matter of public and political interest.” It was the board’s job to make sure that policing was accountable, he continued. “The board takes its responsibilities for delivery seriously, and at this time we are dealing with some key issues, not least the appointment of a new chief constable and deputy chief constable.” The PSNI deputy chief constable, Paul Leighton, retires at the end of this month, while chief constable Sir Hugh Orde leaves in September.
At the monthly meeting in public of the policing board, Sir Hugh said dissident republicans continued to mount a serious threat to public safety and that of his officers. He referred to a letter sent to reporters regarding the murders of two British soldiers.
“Freedom of the press is a basic statement,” Sir Hugh said.
“Equally, the community looks to us to be diligent in the pursuit of every possible and reasonable line of investigation in a proportionate and legal way. That is what we are doing in this case.
“It is not appropriate to comment in detail but we are investigating some very serious crimes, including murder. These legal means are available to us and we shall use them where we can.”