Greater Manchester's former chief fire officer who quit after the Arena bombing has resigned from his new high profile job. Peter O'Reilly, 55, has left his position as Chief Officer of Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service just six and a half months after starting the job.
To some it was a surprise when he landed the post due to the circumstances of his exit from the Greater Manchester service.
Yet, despite being out of the fire service for four years, Mr O'Reilly said it was "in his DNA" when he landed his new role.
In August when Mr O’Reilly's new appointment was announced, he said: “Having started my firefighting career with NIFRS, I am extremely proud to lead it going forward and work with over 1,800 exceptional operational and wider supporting team members as we continue to deliver our prevention and emergency response service to protect our community.”
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In a statement the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said: "Peter O'Reilly, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, notified the Chair of Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Department of Health of his resignation on Thursday, 10 March 2022. Peter was appointed on 1 September 2021 following an open recruitment exercise."
Mr O'Reilly said in a statement: "It was with deep regret that on Thursday 10th March 2022 I offered my resignation to the Chair of the NIFRS Board. The letter of resignation, outlining my reasons, was also sent to the Department of Health. I remain hopeful that the concerns I have highlighted will be addressed and that the public of Northern Ireland will ultimately have a Fire and Rescue Service to be proud of.
"I am convinced, having met most of you, that NIFRS has a committed complement of professional staff, staff that can help achieve what is needed to improve the Service. But support is undoubtedly required. I have offered to work the required three month notice period and will remain available to assist in building the future direction of NIFRS."
Four months after the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017, he announced that after "much soul searching" he was to stand down as chief after less than three years in the £155,000-a-year post.
He had been damaged by a row over the fire service's response to the Arena attack. In July last year, giving evidence to the public inquiry into the Arena, he said: "I honestly regret and I'm sorry for the mistakes I made."
But the inquiry heard mistakes were made too by GMP and British Transport Police.
The bomb detonated at 10.31pm but the fire service did not arrive at the scene until just over two hours later.
A team of just 12 regular firefighters - the number that would be deployed to a house fire - was dispatched to the arena, arriving at the scene at 39 minutes past midnight, more than two hours after the blast.
Specialist crews, with better kit and more training in how to treat blast injuries, were kept back.
On the morning of September 7th 2017, he told councillors on the region’s fire committee : “I never thought that this time would come, but after much soul searching and discussions with my family I have decided to retire.
“It has been an absolute pleasure working for you, the Fire Authority, GMFRS colleagues and the people of Greater Manchester. Manchester will remain my home and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service will always be close to my heart.”
He went on long term leave later that month and never returned to the job.
Calls for him to go had grown in the aftermath of the bombing.
At the time that he announced he was stepping down, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, said the chief had done much to shape the future of the fire service, however, particularly during his time in charge.
“I would thank him for his service to people, not only here, but in Northern Ireland where the majority of his career was served,” he said.
Mr O'Reilly said he would 'always regret' the delay in firefighters attending the aftermath.
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Mr O’Reilly was appointed chief fire officer for Greater Manchester in 2015 at the age of 48.
Previously Greater Manchester’s assistant county fire officer, he had served most of his career in his native Northern Ireland, rising up the ranks there.
He had described his appointment to the top of the Greater Manchester brigade as ‘the proudest day of my career’ when given the role.
Last year, welcoming Mr O'Reilly to his new post, Minister for Health, Robin Swann said: “I welcome the appointment of Peter O’Reilly as the new Chief Fire & Rescue Officer for the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service. With over 25 years of experience within the fire and rescue services, I have no doubt that he will provide the necessary leadership to guide NIFRS into the future.”
In August last year congratulating Mr O’Reilly on his appointment, Carmel McKinney OBE, Chair of the NIFRS Board, said: “Peter is a committed and dedicated firefighter who will bring a wealth of operational and strategic experience to the role.”
Mr O'Reilly was born in Belfast and joined the then Northern Ireland Fire Brigade in 1990. He served for most of his career in Belfast as a firefighter, junior officer and district commander. He then moved to Ballymena to become assistant area commander and later northern area commander.
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