Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

During the 1970s and 1980s, "the murder squad" or "heavy gang", whatever way one wishes to describe it, travelled around this State when requested. It operated collectively and it often thought collectively. It formed a consensus. Sometimes it was the right conclusion but other times, and on too many occasions, it was wrong. Its conclusions were sometimes outrageous, sometimes malicious and would sometimes have been laughable if the consequences had not been so tragic for the families and individuals arrested. Lives were left ruined and people were tortured. In the case of Ann Donnelly, who was sitting up in the Visitors Gallery last week, her husband was arrested, charged and convicted, but the conviction was overturned on appeal. Her brother had no second chance. He was arrested and later killed as a result of what happened.

The Government was aware of the heavy gang at the time but turned a blind eye. One former Minister, referring to the methods of this gang in the programme, said they did the right thing, if the unorthodox thing. I ask the Minister to commit to the families that there will be a statutory investigation for their loved ones, and to acknowledge the wrong done, meaningfully apologise on behalf of the State, explain how this happened and make recommendations so that we can learn and ensure it does not reoccur.

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