Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last week I received a letter from the Taoiseach dated 26 April 2017. It followed an RTE "Prime Time" investigation into the fatal shooting of Garda Tony Golden, the serious wounding of Siobhán Phillips and the death by suicide of Crevan Mackin. I have raised many of the allegations contained in the "Prime Time" investigation with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste since October 2015, shortly after the tragic events in Omeath. I wrote to the Taoiseach four times and spoke to him directly on a number of occasions. I wrote to the Minister eight times and also spoke to her on a number of occasions. I gave information to the senior garda investigating the case and wrote to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC. It is unacceptable that the Taoiseach's letter of last week is the only substantive reply I have received in a year and a half.

Owing to the sensitivities involved, especially for the family of Garda Tony Golden, a brave Garda officer who was doing his duty and protecting a vulnerable woman, as well as the trauma inflicted on other families, I have not raised any of these matters in this Chamber until now.

Crevan Mackin had serious criminal convictions. He also had serious mental health issues. He was arrested in January 2015 for the possession of explosives. The search warrant revealed he had made inquiries with undercover FBI agents to import explosive devices. The FBI tipped off An Garda Síochána which believed Mr. Mackin had taken possession of six handguns and assorted ammunition. He had admitted to this in Garda custody. According to his family and solicitor, he told them that during interrogation he had been taken from Dundalk Garda station to a spot where two handguns were recovered. His family said he had told them that he had done a deal with the Garda interrogators.

I do not have time to go into all of the details. However, the Taoiseach has had these details since October 2015, as has the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Garda Commissioner. It is also clear that some in An Garda Síochána knew that Crevan Mackin continued to have access to at least four weapons when he was released on bail. Mr. Mackin subjected Siobhán Phillips to brutal violence. It was after such an assault that Siobhán, accompanied by her father and stepmother, sought to make a complaint at Dundalk Garda station. This was denied to them. Two days later they met Garda Golden who accompanied Siobhán to her home where the shooting happened.

There are many questions arising from this tragic series of events. In his letter the Taoiseach noted that GSOC had initiated a public interest investigation into these matters. While that is welcome, it only came after GSOC had received notice of the "Prime Time" programme. I made a complaint in September 2016 to GSOC which was not acted on. The GSOC investigation will not go far enough. Neither should it prevent a full criminal investigation from taking place. The response to my correspondence from both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality over 18 months has not been satisfactory. Siobhán Phillips' family has called for a public inquiry. Will the Taoiseach act for the sake of all the families involved and authorise the holding of such an inquiry?

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