Category: News
27 March 2025
This year, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is commemorating 50 years since the appointment of the first DPP in 1975.
At an event in Iveagh House on Thursday 27 March 2025 to mark this occasion – and to launch a specially commissioned book ‘A History of the Office of the DPP: 1975-2025’ – the Director, Catherine Pierse delivered a speech reflecting on fifty years of the prosecution service. In her speech, the Director remarked on the reasons behind the Government decision to establish an independent Office of the DPP, some 50 years ago, saying:
The purpose of the new Office was to strengthen public confidence in the rule of law by ensuring there could be no political interference or perception of interference in these decisions… the key principle underpinning our work is still the one established in Article 30.3 of the Constitution – that prosecutions are brought on behalf of the people of Ireland, and not on behalf of any individual, organisation or government.
The value of “independence” therefore is at the core of the origin story of the Irish prosecution service, and it is deeply embedded in our culture. As prosecutors we know that we must make our decisions based on the evidence and the public interest and free from external influence or bias.
Speaking about the impact of the Office of the DPP decisions, the Director noted:
I know that the prosecutors who work in my Office are deeply aware of the impact that our decisions have on the lives of people who are involved in each case – whether as a victim, an accused or a witness. Where a decision is made not to prosecute, victims can feel disbelieved and unheard. Where a decision is made to prosecute, an accused person’s life can be turned upside down, with implications for their job, family and future. The wider community’s confidence in the rule of law is also at stake.
Commenting on how the legal landscape has evolved over the past fifty years, the Director said:
…legislation and case-law continue to evolve to meet the changing social context. New regulatory bodies with criminal investigation powers have emerged. New investigative and forensic science techniques have been developed. Increased supports for vulnerable victims since 2017 also mean that we can also now prosecute complaints from very vulnerable victims, where ten years ago there would have been no reasonable prospect of a conviction.
Over this period, many social tenets have also been challenged, and we now live in a society where no one doubts that it is possible for a person in authority to abuse a child; or for a respected member of society to be a violent and dangerous bully at home; or that a successful business person could be involved in laundering money.
On the topic of how technology has changed all our lives, the Director observed:
…the proliferation of digital data in recent years has utterly transformed the volume and nature of material that we must all engage with. In response, we need to work collectively towards managing this digital reality and put in place secure and efficient ways of engaging with that data at different stages of the process.
To continue to deliver a fair, independent and effective prosecution service in a digital era, the Director commented that:
The boat won’t move forward if we are each rowing in our own direction. This evening, I want to acknowledge the extent of the collaboration that is already happening. The support we get from NGOs in training our people and developing our public information booklets. The leadership of the judiciary in driving on the new Juvenile Protocol for the Central Criminal Court, the work of court users groups, and the Judicial Planning stakeholder engagement Group; the engagement with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána in relation to the management and presentation of data; the role of the Department of Justice in hosting the criminal justice strategic committee and of the Department of the Taoiseach in supporting the summary prosecution reform steering committee”.
You can read the full text of the Director of Public Prosecutions speech here.
At this event on the 27 March 2025, the DPP launched a specially commissioned book ‘A History of the Office of the DPP: 1975-2025’ by Dr Niamh Howlin. You can read this book here.
06 January 2025
Our Legal Research, Knowledge Management and Training Manager will work in our Prosecution Policy & Research Unit. This is an opportunity for a suitably experienced professional to play a key strategic leadership role in developing the functions of Knowledge Management, Legal Training and Research within the Office of the DPP. The role will require the design and implementation of an ambitious Strategy for Knowledge Management, strategic support for legal training and Research in a dynamic and expanding prosecution service.
The competition will be carried out in line with the codes of practice as published by the Commission for Public Service Appointments which are available at http://www.cpsa.ie/
For more information please read the candidate Information Booklet.
Applicants should forward their CV and a completed Application Form by email to: recruitment@dppireland.ie to arrive no later than 3:30pm on Friday, 24 January 2025.
Information on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is available here on this website.
24 October 2024
The Strategy and Planning Manager (Assistant Principal Officer) is an exciting role within our Corporate Services Division. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to drive the development of transformation and improvement initiatives within the Office of the DPP.
The competition will be carried out in line with the codes of practice as published by the Commission for Public Service Appointments which are available at http://www.cpsa.ie/
For more information please read the candidate Information Booklet.
Applicants should forward their CV and a completed Application Form by email to: recruitment@dppireland.ie to arrive no later than 3:30pm on Wednesday, 13 November 2024.
Information on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is available here on this website.
07 October 2024
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is recruiting permanent Clerical Officers.
The role of Clerical Officer within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions offers successful candidates the opportunity to launch a rewarding career in the Civil Service, specifically within the Criminal Justice Sector.
Candidates must be at least 17 years of age, have a good general level of education. Candidates will also be expected to display good communication skills; demonstrate experience of working on their own initiative and as part of a team.
The competition will be carried out in line with the codes of practice as published by the Commission for Public Service Appointments which are available at http://www.cpsa.ie/
For more information please see the Information Booklet.
Applicants should forward their CV and a completed Application Form by email to: recruitment@dppireland.ie to arrive no later than 3:30pm on Friday, 25 October 2024.
Information on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is available here on this website.
06 September 2024
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is seeking a senior lawyer with the necessary expertise, professional experience and strategic leadership skills to lead the Division that is tasked with assessing investigation files to decide whether to direct a prosecution.
Reporting to the Deputy Director, the successful candidate will have strategic oversight of the Office’s casework and provide a central role in advising the Director and Deputy Director on key strategic prosecutorial policy issues and have overall responsibility for the directing function and two specialist Units within the Office – the Serious and Sexual Offences Unit and the Special Financial Crime Unit. This is a centrally important role in the Irish Prosecution Service and an opportunity to be part of the leadership team in the ODPP at a time of growth and change. The Head of Directing and Specialist Units will take a lead role in implementing reform and transformation projects identified in the current strategic plan, including driving the development of cross-functional ways of working across the Office, the sector and internationally.
Further information on this significant opportunity including details on how to apply, is available on publicjobs.ie
This is a Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) position.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday 26th September, 2024.
If you feel you would benefit from a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Sandra Cairns at sandra.cairns@publicjobs.ie
03 September 2024
Our Legal & Knowledge Management Researcher’s will work in our Prosecution Policy & Research Unit and have the opportunity to undertake research projects to support prosecution policy documents. The successful candidate(s) will also play a key role in supporting and participating in the Office’s Legal & Knowledge Management Strategy. The role also provides excellent opportunities to build professional networks through domestic and international conferences.
For more information, please read the candidate information booklet.
Applicants should forward their completed Application Form electronically to recruitment@dppireland.ie – please ensure your CV is included with your application form
Closing Date: 3.30pm Friday, 20 September 2024
25 July 2024
The Director of Public Prosecutions wishes to appoint Counsel to prosecute in County Westmeath. The Director seeks expressions of interest from barristers wishing to be considered for the above role.
Please see the Explanatory Memorandum on Role of Prosecution Counsel.
Applicants should forward a completed Application Form electronically to: Competitions@dppireland.ie
The selection procedure will include a shortlisting process based on the applications submitted followed by interview.
The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 2 September 2024 at 3:00pm.
05 June 2024
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is recruiting a Head of Research, Knowledge Management & Legal Training. Candidates must, on or before Friday, 21 June 2024 have practiced law for a minimum of 5 years and have significant experience of knowledge management, legal research and/ or legal training components applicable to the role as listed in page 6 of the information booklet. This is an exciting new role which offers the successful candidate the opportunity to play a key strategic leadership role in developing the functions of Knowledge Management, Legal Training and Research within the ODPP. The role will require the design and implementation of an ambitious Strategy for Knowledge Management, Legal training and Research in a dynamic and expanding prosecution service.
Candidates will also have a proven track record in the development or implementation of strategies and solutions for the management and sharing of legal knowledge. Shortlisting may apply. Canvassing will disqualify.
The competition will be carried out in line with the codes of practice as published by the Commission for Public Service Appointments which are available at www.cpsa.ie/
For more information, please see the Information Booklet.
Applicants should forward their completed Application Form electronically to: recruitment@dppireland.ie to arrive before 3:30pm on Friday 21 June 2024.
Please note the interviews for this competition are estimated to take place in July 2024.
Information on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is available on www.dppireland.ie.
04 April 2024
A vacancy exists for the position of State Solicitor in County Westmeath. Details of the duties, terms and conditions of the appointment which is a contract for services for a period of ten years are set out in the Competition Information Booklet which is available on request from the email and contact details set out hereunder.
Solicitors who wish to be considered for appointment to the above positions should apply on the Official Application Form not later than 3:00pm on Tuesday 7 May 2024.
Application Forms are available from and returnable to:
The Chief Prosecution Solicitor
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
Infirmary Road
Dublin 7
DX 34 Dublin
Email: competitions@dppireland.ie
Candidates may be shortlisted and the making of an application does not entitle an applicant to an interview.
Candidates are instructed not to canvass.
Terms and Conditions apply.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is committed to a policy of equal opportunity. Cuirfear fáilte roimh chomfhreagras i nGaeilge.
06 March 2024
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is recruiting a Data and Case Management (Software Development) – ICT HEO. Successful applicants must, on or before 27 March 2024, meet the ICT qualification and experience criteria which is listed in the candidate information booklet. Are you enthusiastic, logical, creative and keen to learn new skills and further develop your ICT digital business career? Do you have strong skills in database management and maintenance whilst possessing well-developed analytical and critical thinking skills to understand and troubleshoot issues, risks, business needs and challenges?
If this sparks your interest, this might just be the job for you.
The competition will be carried out in line with the codes of practice as published by the Commission for Public Service Appointments which are available at http://www.cpsa.ie/
For more information and to apply please see read the Information Booklet.
Applicants should submit their CV and application electronically to: Recruitment@dppireland.ie to arrive before 3.30pm. Wednesday 27 March 2024.
Information on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is available here on this website.