David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to refer to a television programme I saw last night. A very remarkable woman, Lucia O'Farrell, instigated the programme. She was concerned about the appalling, tragic death of her very talented and brilliant son, Shane. He was killed by an eastern European drug addict who hit Shane's bicycle, failed to stop and then went and concealed the car. This man had numerous convictions for theft, drugs offences and driving offences and was improperly out on bail. If, on at least six occasions, the Garda had acted appropriately or if the judicial system had been correct, the individual in question would have been in jail at the time when the young man to whom I refer was unfortunately killed. It is quite extraordinary that Ms O'Farrell has had to wait six years for part of a Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, report. That report does not name anyone or hold anyone responsible, so it basically leaves the O'Farrell family in limbo. They say they have not named anyone because of continuing inquiries. How long are those inquiries going to continue? I would like the Leader to ask this of the Minister. I have raised this issue repeatedly but I have got nowhere. The only thing I have been able to do is to try to give some succour to Ms O'Farrell and her family. By the way, this man continued to act in precisely the same manner and to collect further convictions after he killed Shane O'Farrell. It is absolutely extraordinary and raises questions about the use of bail.

The second matter I wish to raise is the extraordinary arrogance and impertinence of the American representative to the United Nations in raising, as a matter of urgency, the rather pathetic and amateurish flight of rockets that was sent by Hamas into Israel. As far as I know, no one has been injured or killed in any of these attacks. The rockets may have done some marginal damage. It is, of course, unpleasant. However, where is the sense of proportion? I could take this if the Americans had not vetoed an inquiry into the slaughter of Palestinians in recent weeks. I find it an astonishing breakdown of moral values that the Americans could operate in this way and I take this opportunity to condemn them strongly. I see exactly what they are doing. They are trying to build up a case that the Palestinians, who are the victims, are responsible for their own situation. They are not.