Criminology lecturer appointed as Northern Ireland independent reviewer of justice and security

Criminology lecturer appointed as Northern Ireland independent reviewer of justice and security

Dr Jonny Byrne

Criminology lecturer Dr Jonny Byrne has been appointed as Northern Ireland’s independent reviewer of justice and security and of national security arrangements.

The role of the independent reviewer of justice and security is set out within the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007. The reviewer plays a key role in providing confidence that the powers are being closely scrutinised and used proportionately by the policing and legal system.

The independent reviewer of national security arrangements provides assurances around the role of security services in Northern Ireland and their interactions with the PSNI.

Dr Byrne is currently a lecturer in criminology and criminal justice in the School of Criminology, Social Policy and Politics at Ulster University. He lectures on issues relating to policing and security, countering violent extremism and psychology within the criminal justice system.

He has completed a number of research projects on public attitudes to peace walls, paramilitary violence, young people’s participation in political violence, community experiences of public order policing in Northern Ireland, bonfires, and the manipulations of commemorations and celebrations in a contested society.

Following his appointment by Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, Dr Byrne replaced Professor Marie Breen Smyth with effect from 1 February 2024.

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