Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I welcome the fact that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to provide all appropriate consular assistance to the family and facilitate its dealings with the German authorities. I appreciate that the Department cannot interfere in the judicial process of another state. However, given the volume of information and the facts available, I want a meeting with the Minister to take place. I want to ensure that all the facts of the case are made available to him and the Department.

I hope some progress can be made in the near future to further process this case with the German authorities. The family maintains the volume of evidence available strongly suggests Matthew Fitzpatrick did not die as a result of suicide. The family is determined to obtain justice for Matthew and they intend to continue until they get the case reviewed and until all the information that they have made available and which is in the public domain is reviewed by the German authorities. They believe much of the information they have provided has been disregarded by the German authorities. There are serious questions to be asked about the conduct of the autopsy, given the nature of the injuries found on the body during an autopsy conducted by the deputy State pathologist in Dublin after Matthew's body was repatriated. Many aspects of this case are deeply troubling. I look forward to the Minister meeting the family to discuss this urgent matter.