Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received correspondence from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32305/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the case in the matter of the death of a person (details supplied) will be re-opened. [32306/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied with the Garda investigation into the death of a person (details supplied) and with the manner in which this investigation was conducted, in particular the investigation into events near the taxi office in the town. [32307/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied with the actions of a detective (details supplied) who it has been alleged discouraged some potential witnesses in the matter of the death of a person (details supplied) from making statements and demonstrated reluctance to take a statement from another. [32308/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if statements to the effect that a person (details supplied) was being harmed by a number of individuals in a pub or nightclub on the night of their death are present in a Garda station. [32309/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied with the report of Dr. Harbison on the death of a person (details supplied) in view of the assertions of two other forensic pathologists brought to their attention. [32310/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 to 254, inclusive, together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that statements in the case referred to by the Deputy were taken from eight witnesses. Only one witness alleged that a verbal altercation took place involving the person concerned. The Garda investigation did not establish any evidence to support this allegation. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that all witnesses were interviewed and invited to make statements. There was no reluctance on the part of gardaí to take any statement relevant to the investigation and no person was discouraged from making a statement.

The then State pathologist, Dr. Harbison, carried out a post mortem examination on the body of the person on 2 February 2002. He concluded that the cause of death was drowning and immersion in fresh water. The Garda investigation file on the case was submitted to the coroner. An inquest was held in April 2004 and the verdict returned was that death was due to drowning by immersion in fresh water. The Garda authorities inform me that correspondence has been received from the person referred to by the Deputy and is currently being examined by them. Correspondence referring to assertions of two forensic pathologists is also beingexamined.