Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)

I want to begin by welcoming the statement of apology delivered by the Minister for Justice in the Dáil. It is right and proper that the State formally acknowledge the multiple failings that contributed to the tragic and entirely avoidable death of Shane O'Farrell. This apology is a long overdue recognition of the pain, frustration and injustice suffered by Shane's family over the past 14 years. It represents a significant step in acknowledging the truth, namely, that the system failed Shane and failed his family.

I commend the O'Farrell family for their relentless pursuit of justice. Their dignity, resilience and commitment in the face of stonewalling and bureaucratic delay have been extraordinary. The apology is meaningful, but it must not be seen as the conclusion of this matter. Rather, it must be the beginning of real accountability and systemic reform. An apology without action is hollow. Words of regret must be matched with a sincere commitment to the uncovering of the full truth. The core question remains unanswered. How was a man with over 40 convictions, multiple breaches of bail and an outstanding warrant still free to drive on Irish roads?

Shane O'Farrell did not die in a vacuum. His death occurred within a context of chronic failures across our justice system. Policing, prosecutions, bail, monitoring and judicial oversight are not merely administrative errors; they are systemic issues with life or death consequences.

The O'Farrell family has been clear that only a full public inquiry can uncover the complete chain of failures that led to Shane's death. I fully support the call for such an inquiry, as does Independent Ireland. I call on all Members of the Oireachtas to do the same. Previous investigations, including the GSOC review, the independent review mechanism and the Haughton scoping exercise, have fallen short. These processes were narrow in scope, opaque in their methods and failed to compel or interrogate key witnesses under oath. They left the most important questions unanswered and did little to restore public confidence in our institutions.

The public has a right to know how this happened and, more importantly, how it can be prevented from happening in the future. A full public inquiry, conducted transparently and independently and with the power to compel testimony, is the only credible path forward. If our justice system is to function with integrity, it must be open to scrutiny. Shielding these failures from sunlight does a disservice not only to Shane's family, but to every family in this country. This is not about one individual or one bad decision; it is about a pattern of dysfunction that poses a risk to every person in Ireland. A public inquiry would not only serve justice for the O'Farrell family, but identify the systemic weaknesses that need urgent reform. It would provide a foundation for better interagency communication, proper bail enforcement, meaningful oversight and a justice system that prioritises public safety. Only through such an inquiry can we ensure that what happened Shane's family does not happen to another family. The Oireachtas has already voted in favour of a public inquiry. That democratic mandate must be honoured.

The Minister's apology must not be used as a political cover-up to avoid the further action that is clearly required. Upholding justice requires not just expressions of regret, but concrete steps to identify failings and implement change. We owe it to Shane, his family and every citizen of this State who expects accountability from their institutions. Shane O'Farrell's death was a tragedy but another tragedy would be letting it pass without learning from it. The apology is a start, but it is not the end.

Again, I would like to pass my condolences to Shane's family.

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