Drew Harris makes first official appearance in Northern Ireland as Garda Commissioner

The former PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Drew Harris has made his first official appearance in Northern Ireland as Garda Commissioner.

He was attending a memorial in Belfast on Sunday afternoon to honour officers from around the UK who have died or been killed in the line of duty.

The new Garda Commissioner wore his father's police medals.

Alwyn Harris, a former RUC officer, was murdered by the IRA in 1989.

Around two thousand gathered in the Waterfront Hall for the National Police Memorial Day service.

Relatives and colleagues joined dignitaries, including the PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton and Home Secretary Sajid Javid, to take part in the 15th annual event.

A guard of honour made up of representatives from forces throughout the UK and overseas welcomed people on arrival.

Candles were lit by relatives and the names of officers who died in the last 12 months were read aloud during the service.

Among those specifically remembered was Constable Michael John Ferguson, who was shot dead outside a shopping centre in Londonderry in January 1993 at the age of 21.

Chief Constable of the PSNI George Hamilton said: “The National Police Memorial Day is a fitting tribute to police officers everywhere who have died in the course of their duties to protect the public.

“It is important and indeed only right that we take time to pause to remember our colleagues and friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives on duty protecting their communities.

“It is a privilege for the Police Service of Northern Ireland to have been able to welcome so many visitors to Belfast for this year's National Police Memorial Day."

More than 4,400 officers have died since modern policing began across the UK.