Northern Ireland

Criminal Justice Inspector reappointed for another year

Chief inspector Brendan McGuigan has been reappointed for another year.
Chief inspector Brendan McGuigan has been reappointed for another year. Chief inspector Brendan McGuigan has been reappointed for another year.

Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice for Northern Ireland, Brendan McGuigan has been reappointed to the post for another year, with the permanent secretary for the Department of Justice announcing the appointment yesterday.

Mr McGuigan has held the position since 2012 and since September 2017, he has also undertaken the additional responsibility of oversight of the work of the Prisoner Ombudsman’s office.

The appointment of the criminal justice inspector and the prisoner ombudsman would usually fall to the justice minister.

In the absence of a minister, Peter May, Permanent Secretary for the Department of Justice, announced the reappointment.

"Both the Chief Inspector and the Prisoner Ombudsman posts play a vital role in seeking to secure improvement of, and confidence in, the criminal justice system", Mr May said.

"Brendan's wealth of knowledge and expertise will provide important continuity during this period of political uncertainty".