Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The way justice is achieved for the families is to bring the perpetrators to justice. That is the purpose of criminal law, procedure and investigation. That is the issue. There is still a criminal case before the courts relating to this matter. The Garda will continue to work with others to establish in what way it can bring the perpetrators to justice. The contention or idea that the forces of law and order are less than anxious to do so, or in any way not committed to trying to do so, would be to take away from the efforts that must be made.

I am aware that members of the Judiciary and others have made statements on, or referred to, the investigation or various aspects thereof in the course of several criminal trials that have been held before the courts. Ultimately, however, the Garda and those under our jurisdiction will continue to work in every way they can to ascertain whether they can successfully bring a prosecution in this case. This is the real means by which the perpetrators of this terrible crime can be brought to justice.

See this speech in context