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

The words we all employ here tonight will be of little comfort to Mr. O'Farrell's family. Unfortunately, as I have previously stated, he cannot be brought back. What is needed and what can make a difference and may provide some comfort to Mr. O'Farrell's mother, Lucia, his father, Jim, and the O'Farrell family is what most of us have already called for, that is, a full public inquiry.

The circumstances of this case have been well covered in broadcast media, print media and other fora, including the Houses of the Oireachtas. There is nothing new to add. We are all very aware of the substantive issue. The individual who mowed down innocent Shane O'Farrell should not have been behind the wheel of any car. He should not have been in a position to do what he did. The GSOC report has found that gardaí did not act criminally. I believe, however, it is fair and just for us to say and incumbent on all to recognise that there were very deep failings on the part of members of An Garda Síochána and our justice system. This man should have been in jail. A bail bond was in place. It was broken repeatedly by various criminal acts. The Garda had ample opportunity to apprehend and detain Mr. Gridziuska and it failed. It failed utterly.

The only instrument that will get to the bottom of why this happened and why it was allowed to happen is a full public inquiry. We, as a society, need to learn lessons from this horrible tragedy. No family should ever again have to go through what Shane's mother, Lucia, father, Jim, and sisters have been put through. The Garda needs to learn lessons. Systems need to be changed. Perhaps legislation itself needs to be changed. We all have a role to play.

I contend we cannot properly establish what changes need to be made, what systems need to change and what legislation may be required or required to be amended without getting to the bottom of what went so horribly wrong. We need to establish why Shane is not with his family today. The only way to establish the facts and the steps now to be taken is through the setting up of a full public inquiry. I do not use the word "implore" frequently in this Chamber or in committees but I implore the Minister to put an inquiry in place, not just for the sake of Lucia O'Farrell and the rest of the O'Farrell family but in order to prevent any other family going through what Shane O'Farrell's family has experienced.

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