Beverley Flynn (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the motion submitted to him in June 2005 by Donegal County Council calling for a full independent public inquiry into the murder of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal has been considered; if his attention has been drawn to the deep public concern over the circumstances of this person's death and the failure to bring their killers to justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3380/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The murder of the person in question has been the subject of correspondence by and on behalf of the family of the deceased, to which I have given full consideration.

In response to concerns expressed on the matter, the Garda Commissioner established a review team to conduct a thorough and concise investigation into all matters of concern, which involved the taking of more than 150 statements and the interview of more than 120 people.

The Garda review was substantively completed in March 2005, at which time I received an interim report. Outstanding matters relate to a mutual assistance request and police-to-police inquiries made of the British and Northern Ireland authorities.

Nothing has emerged in consequence of the Garda review which would justify the establishment of a public inquiry into the murder. However, I will continue to keep the matter under review in the context of the additional information being sought.

I should add that the Garda investigation into the murder remains open, and I can assure the Deputy that any further lines of inquiry arising from new information from any quarter will be actively pursued by the Garda Síochána.