New head garda for Tipperary

An Garda Síochána has confirmed the appointment of Chief Superintendent Derek Smart as the new head of the Tipperary Garda Division.

A native of Limerick city, Chief Supt Smart joined An Garda Síochána in 1990. He was assigned to Mountjoy in Dublin but transferred to Henry Street, Limerick, in 1994.

He was assigned detective duties in 1997 and was stationed at Mary St/Mayorstone Park, Limerick.

In 2004, he was promoted to sergeant and stationed at Croom, Co Limerick, before returning to Mayorstone Park in 2006. In 2008, he was promoted to Inspector and assigned to Tralee, Co Kerry, before returning to Roxboro Road, Limerick, in 2010.

His promotion to superintendent came in 2012 and he was assigned to Clonakilty, Co Cork. Later that year he transferred to Clare, serving in the Ennistymon and Ennis districts before returning to Henry Street District again in 2015.

Promoted to Chief Superintendent in July 2019, Chief Supt Smart replaces Wicklow native Catherine Kehoe, who recently retired.