Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill, the Taoiseach is aware of the case of Mary Boyle who went missing in 1977 while visiting her grandparents’ home in County Donegal. It has been the subject of considerable public interest. Her family are, obviously, devastated by their loss. Obviously, no one in the House can interfere with an ongoing investigation and it was recently confirmed that the serious crime review team, known as the cold case unit, was investigating Mary Boyle’s disappearance. That is to be welcomed. Will the Taoiseach ensure, in the context of victims’ rights, sufficient dedicated resources will be made available and that the investigation will be wholly independent of previous investigations and separate from what happened before?

I have received correspondence from the Minister for Justice and Equality on a request made by Mary Boyle's sister, Ann Doherty, regarding when the coroner's inquest would take place. There is a legal precedent for accepting her request. Again in the context of victims’ rights, will the Taoiseach re-examine the issue with the Minister for Justice and Equality? I have received a reply from the Minister on it, in addition to the replies to parliamentary questions I have tabled, in which she has confirmed that she is very much aware of all the issues involved and the allegations that have been made about the case but that the Garda, first and foremost, is investigating such allegations. I believe the forum in question would be the proper one in which to investigate this case.

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