Category: News
08 September 2025
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is now inviting applications for its Higher Legal Executive (HLE) competition. This is a unique opportunity to join a dedicated team at the heart of Ireland’s criminal justice system, supporting the prosecution of cases and contributing to the development of legal processes that serve the public interest.
As a Legal Technical role, the HLE involves managing caseloads, preparing legal documents, supporting lawyers in court, and engaging with a broad range of stakeholders. You’ll also assist with international cooperation, costs recovery, and continuous improvement across legal teams.
We’re looking for candidates with strong legal knowledge, practical court experience, and excellent organisational and interpersonal skills. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact in public service, we encourage you to apply.
A panel will be formed from this competition and will remain active for 18 months. Applications are welcome from candidates who are not immediately available, as opportunities may arise throughout the panel’s duration.
For more information on how to apply, please see the Information Booklet.
Applicants should forward their CV and completed Application Form electronically to: recruitment@dppireland.ie to arrive no later than 1pm on Friday 26 September 2025.
Information about the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is available here on this website.
08 September 2025
Candidates must, on or before 26 September 2025:
- Be enrolled as a Solicitor in the State or have been called to the Bar.
- Have experience of practice (during training or post qualification) in one or more of the following areas: Criminal Regulatory or Enforcement Law, Administrative, Constitutional or European Law, Litigation and/or litigation involving public bodies, and Employment Law.
- Have a history of delivering results effectively, in particular managing their caseload.
- Possess a high level of interpersonal and communication skills with an awareness of how to deal with external stakeholders.
- Have strong analytical and decision-making skills.
- Experience of or aptitude to work in a computerised office environment, including the use of electronic case management systems or other IT application used for legal practice.
For more information on the role, please see the Information Booklet. Applicants should forward their CV and completed Application Form by email to: recruitment@dppireland.ie to arrive no later than 1pm on Friday, 26 September 2025.
Information on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is available here on this website.
18 August 2025
In this position, you will lead and develop a high-performing team, manage legal and administrative projects, and work closely with partners across the justice system to ensure our services are delivered efficiently, ethically, and to the highest professional standards.
We are looking for a qualified legal professional with at least three years’ post-qualification experience, and the ability to quickly build knowledge of court processes, criminal procedures, and legal costs. Proven ability to lead, plan and deliver results in a dynamic environment.
This is your opportunity to contribute your skills to advancing the quality and efficiency of prosecution services.
For more information please see the Information Booklet.
Applicants should forward their CV and completed Application Form by email to: recruitment@dppireland.ie to arrive no later than 3:30pm on Friday, 05 September 2025.
Information on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is available here on this website.
31 July 2025
The selection procedure will include a shortlisting process based on the applications submitted followed by interview.
For more information please see the Information Booklet.
Applicants should forward their CV and completed Application Form by email to: Competitions@dppireland.ie to arrive no later than 3:30pm on Monday, 01 Spetember 2025.
Information on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is available here on this website.
31 July 2025
The selection procedure will include a shortlisting process based on the applications submitted followed by interview.
For more information please see the Information Booklet.
Applicants should forward their CV and completed Application Form by email to: Competitions@dppireland.ie to arrive no later than 3:30pm on Monday, 01 Spetember 2025.
Information on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is available here on this website.
31 July 2025
The selection procedure will include a shortlisting process based on the applications submitted followed by interview.
For more information please see the Information Booklet.
Applicants should forward their CV and completed Application Form by email to: Competitions@dppireland.ie to arrive no later than 3:30pm on Monday, 01 Spetember 2025.
Information on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is available here on this website.
09 June 2025
This is a new role, and the successful candidate will have the unique opportunity to work with the ODPP Regional Office project team to play a key part in establishing and developing our new Regional Office in Cork. The Regional Office is the latest Unit of the ODPP, and it is required to allow our Office to directly deliver prosecution service within Cork.
Prior to the launch of the new office the Senior Principal Prosecutor will work collaboratively with other senior managers and key external stakeholders to ensure the successful establishment of the new office. When the new office is established the Senior Principal Prosecutor will be responsible for leading and managing a team of staff whilst directly delivering prosecution service within Cork. As a member of the ODPP’s Management Board the Senior Principal Prosecutor will participate in the implementation of our strategy.
It is intended that the Regional Office will be operational by the latter part of 2026. Prior to establishing the new Regional Office this role will be bilocation between Dublin and Cork for the first 12-18 months.
For more information please see the Information Booklet.
Applicants should forward their CV and completed Application Form by email to: recruitment@dppireland.ie to arrive no later than 3:30pm on Friday, 27 June 2025.
Information on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is available here on this website.
09 June 2025
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is seeking a dynamic Procurement Manager to manage and support key functions within the Corporate Services Division. This is an exciting new role which offers the successful candidate the opportunity to work closely with the Unit Head whilst implementing new procurement processes and initiatives.
The ideal candidate will provide expert advice, ensure compliance with Civil Service procurement policies, and help drive efficient, value-for-money operations across the ODPP.
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, 27 June 2025.
Information on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is available here on this website.
07 April 2025
The Director of Public Prosecutions wishes to appoint Counsel to prosecute in Cork City & Cork County. The Director seeks expressions of interest from barristers wishing to be considered for the above panels.
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 Thursday 15th May 2025 at 3:00pm.
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.