Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We must establish the when, the who and the where, that is, when this was done, who carried it out and under whose direction and where, and in what way, was Aidan's rib cage section disposed of? Is it retrievable or is it irretrievably destroyed? That is unclear from the letter from Dr. Lyness, which, more than 30 years after Aidan's murder at Aughnacloy at the Tyrone-Monaghan border has come as an absolute shock to his family, who have always hoped that that release would inform one of the key and critical issues relating to Aidan's murder.

I have itemised several things that I have asked the Minister to pursue with the Secretary of State in respect of the State Pathologist's office in the North of Ireland and I also ask the Minister to ask her to include any other possible holders of relevant documentation. I believe there is a bounden responsibility on the Secretary of State to ensure that the McAnespie family is fully and absolutely co-operated with and informed.

The McAnespie family, as well as anyone whom I have heard speak on this latest disturbing information on the murder of Aidan McAnespie, believe that the rib cage section being referred to was removed to cover up the fact that Aidan was hit by a single bullet fired from above and not by a ricochet off the roadway behind him. That view is now confirmed in the minds of many by the revelation that the critical evidence that could attest to the trajectory of the bullet is no longer available to us.

Finally, in deference to all that the McAnespie family has sought, I ask the Minister to please intervene with his Cabinet colleagues and request the Minister for Justice and Equality to give effect to the very reasonable request of the entire Committee on Justice and Equality, the McAnespie family and many others, that he contact all those who gave evidence to the then deputy commissioner, Eugene Crowley, in order that they would waive their understanding of confidentiality and allow the report to issue.

See this speech in context