Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I extend my deepest sympathies to the Wheelock family for their terrible loss, and the pain Terence's tragic death has caused to them. I am very conscious that yesterday, 2 June, was the 16th anniversary of the events which led to Terence's death in September 2005 and I know that this will be a difficult week for the family. My Department has recently written to the Wheelock family in response to a request they made for a public inquiry to be established to examine the circumstances surrounding Terence's death.

The Deputy will be aware that these events were the subject of an inquiry by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, and that the report of the inquiry was published by GSOC in March 2010. I also note that legal proceedings arising from these matters were settled in 2014. The Deputy will appreciate that GSOC and the courts are fully independent in the exercise of their functions and it is not open to me to intervene in or comment on any inquiry that has been carried out by GSOC or on the outcome of any court proceedings. As these matters have been fully considered by GSOC, and have also been the subject of legal proceedings, a further inquiry into Terence's tragic death is not being considered at this time and my Department has outlined this to the Wheelock family in the response to them.

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