Ms Kathleen O’Toole, Chief Inspector Garda Síochána Inspectorate wishes to refute entirely the assertion in today’s Irish Times that she is “thought to have submitted an application” for the post of Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.

Chief Inspector Kathleen O’Toole confirmed on Tuesday, 12 June, 2007 to the Irish Times that she is not one of the five candidates short-listed for the post of Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and did not submit an application for the post.

Chief Inspector Kathleen O’Toole is entirely committed to her current position with the Garda Síochána Inspectorate and is currently working on the next phase of her important work programme.