Justin Kelly | |
|---|---|
 Kelly in 2025 | |
| 22nd Garda Commissioner | |
| Assumed office 1 September 2025[1] | |
| Preceded by | Drew Harris |
| Garda Deputy Commissioner | |
| In office 15 October 2024[2] – 1 September 2025 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1971 or 1972 (age 53–54)[3] |
| Alma mater | Templeogue College |
Justin Kelly is an Irish police officer, currently serving as 22ndCommissioner of theGarda Síochána, the police and security service ofIreland, having previously served in that force over 30 years, including in several senior roles. His appointment was confirmed by the government of Ireland at a cabinet meeting on the 29 July 2025, and became effective on the retirement ofDrew Harris, on 1 September 2025.[1] Kelly had served as Deputy Commissioner of the force since October 2024.[4][5]
Kelly is from theDublin 6 area. He joined An Garda Síochána as a trainee in 1992, and was assigned toTallaght on mustering out. He worked at several locations as a Garda and Sergeant, and then served at the rank of Inspector in the stations of two of Dublin's larger suburbs, atBlanchardstown andClondalkin. Kelly subsequently worked in theDrugs and Organised Crime unit, theSpecial Detective Unit and theProtective Services Bureau. In 2022, he was appointed as Assistant Commissioner for Serious and Organised Crime.[4]
He also served in Bosnia-Herzegovina.[3]
On 15 October 2024, he was appointed Deputy Commissioner for Security, Strategy and Governance.[6][2] Kelly was one of 14 candidates for the post of Commissioner, and his initial term will be five years at a salary of over 314,000 euro.[3] He will lead over 14,000 sworn Gardai and around 4,000 civilian support staff.[7]
Kelly studied for a bachelor's degree in Civil Law (BCL) atUniversity College Dublin and later secured three advanced degrees: while on a fellowship in 2009, a master’s degree in Criminal Justice at John Jay College, New York, and later an executive MBA atDublin City University and a first class honours master’s in Serious Crime Investigation from theUniversity of Limerick.[8][9] He also studied at the UK's College of Policing and Ireland’s Institute of Public Administration.[10]
Kelly is married with 2 children.[3]