Ex-Greater Manchester fire chief who quit after Arena terror attack resigns from new job in Northern Ireland

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

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.” Read more: 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.