Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My question is whether the Minister of State thinks it appropriate or right that a victim of domestic abuse, who received a savage beating over a prolonged period, can be denied the opportunity to make a statement relating to an assault which took place the night before. Does he think it is acceptable? It is a simple "Yes" or "No" answer.

A Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, investigation will not answer all the questions on this issue. The most pressing question is how Adrian Crevan Mackin was not charged with firearms offences despite his admission to them during the course of the investigation. The GSOC investigation will not determine why Mr. Mackin's bail was reduced from €20,000 to €5,000, allowing him to be released or at whose request this was done. We know this was not done at the request of his legal team. The only way we can get to the bottom of these questions is with a public inquiry.

The Tánaiste and the Taoiseach have ruled out the possibility of a public inquiry. The Minister of State indicates with respect to the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, that this independence is a cornerstone of our criminal justice system, serving the State well, and it should be fully respected. It did not serve Ms Siobhán Phillips or Garda Tony Golden very well as a man with serious mental health issues was allowed out on a bail reduced from €20,000 to €5,000 and who was allegedly involved with assaulting an ex-partner. The following day, that person shot a garda and seriously injured Ms Phillips again by shooting her before turning the gun on himself. These are all questions that must be answered but that will not happen with a GSOC investigation, which is only a disciplinary process. It is not even a criminal process. I ask that the Minister of State and his Government consider initiating a public inquiry to get to the bottom of all these issues.

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