Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government gives an overall commitment to transparency across all Departments and programmes. In fairness, much progress has been made in the Department of Justice on Garda reform and so forth. However, in the last number of weeks we have seen the documentary "Crimes and Confessions" running on RTÉ. The most recent episode on the Sallins train robbery was shocking for people around the country and has generated public outrage about it. The events surrounding the torture and imprisonment of Osgur Breathnach, Nicky Kelly, Brian McNally and others appal people. It is time for the Government to come forward with a commitment to a full and independent public inquiry into these events, including the investigation and subsequent imprisonment of these men and, indeed, the actions of every arm of the State that was involved. It should not be limited to the behaviour of the Garda so-called heavy gang but must take into account each and every State body and Department that allowed this to happen. The first programme was on the Lynskey case in the Minister's constituency and next week's programme will be on the Kerry babies case. It is a very important issue and I invite the Minister to commit to a full public inquiry into this issue.

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