Mark Toland has been announced as the Chief Inspector of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate.

Mr Toland is a former member of the Garda Inspectorate, having served from 2012 to 2016.

He was appointed as a member of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission in December 2016.

He has over 30 years of policing experience with the UK Metropolitan Police Service, where he rose through the ranks to the position of Chief Superintendent.

He was awarded the Queens Police Medal for distinguished police service in 2010.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Toland said: "It is both and honour and a privilege to be appointed by Government to the position of Chief Inspector in the Garda Síochána Inspectorate.

"I look forward to working with members of all ranks, police staff, members of the Garda Reserve, as well as policing stakeholder, to achieve the objective of ensuring that garda resources are used efficiently and effectively and to meet the ever increasing challenges of policing in 21th century Ireland."

Hugh Hume has also been appointed a member of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate.

He is formerly of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, having served for 31 years in a number of operational and strategic roles.

Mr Hume said: "I look forward to taking on this new role and together with the other members of the Inspectorate working to ensure that the Garda Síochána is best positioned to meet local and national policing challenges with reference to best national and international policing practice".