By Patsy McArdle
THE Garda Representative Association (GRA) has for the first time appointed a civilian to the position of Deputy General Secretary and the appointee is a Co. Monaghan man, Mr. Philip McAnenly, who was formerly Industrial Relations Officer at the Irish Nurses’ and Midwives’ Organisation.
His appointment was ratified by the GRA Annual Delegate Conference in Killarney last week. The Garda Representative Body General Secretary Pat Ennis said on Tuesday : “The ratification of Mr McAnenly is an historic moment for the GRA’. “This is the first time someone that does not have a Garda background has been appointed to such a high-level position.
“We followed a thorough selection process with expert external oversight. Philip brings great experience as an industrial relations practitioner and provides a new dimension to our negotiating team. “It is apt that the GRA has made this appointment at a time when we are heading into an historic change in policing. As the representative body for rank-andfile gardai, we will be engaged in an intense period of negotiation to improve policing…
