Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to refer to a case that is not a fatality case but a drugs case. I have raised the case in the House and others have done so as well. I refer to a notorious drug dealer who was convicted in this jurisdiction, in the United Kingdom and, I think, also on the Continent. The case came before the courts on the last day of sittings in July and a Garda superintendent came forward - I think it was a superintendent - and said that on the direction of the Director of Public Prosecutions, he or she would withdraw the prosecution. There were serious charges involved but no explanation has ever been given for the decision. The case took place in 2006 rather than 2008. It was a serious matter and major charges were involved, as well as a criminal record and all of the rest of it. The whole lot was withdrawn without a reason, and the position has not changed to this day. A number of Deputies have put the matter on the record of this House. That is the type of situation that leads people to wonder and to be suspicious. People need to know the reasons when the Director of Public Prosecutions decides not to prosecute, and they need to know that they have the option of reviewing the decision. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions must engage with the citizenry and explain the matter.

That is rather than leaving it second-hand, perhaps through a member of the Garda Síochána. That must be considered.