Doncha O'Sullivan Appointed Secretary General

News

Doncha O’Sullivan appointed Secretary General

• From: Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
• Published on: 14 April 2026
• Last updated on: 15 April 2026

Minister Jim O’Callaghan, today announced the appointment of Mr. Doncha O’Sullivan as Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. This follows a competition undertaken by Public Jobs on behalf of the Top Level Appointments Commission.

Minister O’Callaghan said:

"I am very pleased that Government has today appointed Doncha O’Sullivan as Secretary General of the Department of Justice. Doncha has dedicated his career to the work of this department and the wider justice sector and is strongly placed to lead the department in the coming years."

Minister O’Callaghan also congratulated outgoing Secretary General Oonagh McPhillips on her retirement and thanked her for her service to the country over her 41-year career.

"I want to take this opportunity to commend Oonagh’s strong leadership and exemplary commitment to the Department, which she has demonstrated over her many years of dedicated public service."

In his role as Deputy Secretary for Civil Justice in the Department, Doncha led the development, implementation, and critical review of policies and programmes in the areas of immigration, international protection, civil law reform, and access to justice. He also oversaw the management of the Department’s relationship with a range of civil justice agencies under the aegis of the Department, including the Courts Service and the Legal Aid Board.

His career in the Department has included senior management roles as Head of Corporate and of Civil Justice Governance. He has also worked across Criminal Policy, Policing, Prisons and EU Affairs.