Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will share time with Deputy Brendan Smith.

Shane O'Farrell died following a fatal road traffic accident in County Monaghan in August 2011. Shane, who was 23 years old, was cycling on the N2 when he was hit by a driver who subsequently left the scene. Shane O’Farrell's death was a tragedy. As a mother, I cannot even begin to imagine the effect that his loss has had and its catastrophic impact on his family, including his sisters. He was taken from his family at a time when he held so much promise for the life he might have lived.

Shane was cycling home when he was struck by a car driven by a person who had previous convictions for offences, including aggravated burglary, road traffic offences and handling stolen property. It was only in recent weeks, from speaking to colleagues, that I became aware of the details of Shane's case. I have a 25-year old son who spends a lot of time cycling. I felt it was very important to come in here tonight and show empathy with the family.

I was amazed when I started to read some of the information. Shane was killed in a hit and run by a man who had 53 previous convictions. At the time he killed Shane, Mr. Gradzuiska was on bail in respect of a number of offences and had breached the conditions of the bail bonds. He had been given suspended sentences which should have been activated had the courts been informed of his convictions. In short, if the criminal justice system had been functioning properly, Mr. Gradzuiska would not have been at liberty on the day he killed Mr. O’Farrell.

Shane’s death is a personal tragedy for the O'Farrell family. It is also a tragedy because it has shown that many elements of our criminal justice system are dysfunctional. There is a systemic problem in the way breaches of bail and breaches of conditions attached to suspended sentences are dealt with.

The O'Farrell family has worked tirelessly in seeking justice for their only son and brother. The family is to be commended on the courageous and dignified manner in which they are pursuing justice for Shane. They have been unrelenting in their quest for justice, and in doing so, they are doing their utmost to honour Shane's life.

I was struck by the following remarks, which were made by Mrs. O'Farrell.

Our quest for justice for Shane has been hampered by the Department of Justice. They appear to have forgotten the very thing they are supposed to represent, they appear to have forgotten the very thing they are supposed to fight for: truth and justice. They appear to have forgotten the very people that they are there to serve.

The time has come for an inquiry into Shane's death so that his family can finally get the answers for which they have been striving for the past seven years. The Minister stated in the Dáil that there are a number of matters surrounding the circumstances of Shane's death which are of concern. For Shane, his parents and sisters deserve this inquiry.

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