Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 520: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his contacts with the authorities in Northern Ireland regarding the murder of a person (details supplied) in October 2007; if his attention has been drawn to the particular interest in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17607/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am very conscious of the particular concerns which this killing has caused. I have made my views on it known already.

However, the Deputy will appreciate that responsibility for the investigation of crime rests with the Garda Síochána. The investigation into this particular killing is very much ongoing and active. An Garda Síochána is leading this investigation with assistance from the PSNI, and the Senior Investigation Officer is liaising with his counterpart in the PSNI on a frequent basis.

I understand that the previous Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has discussed this case with Secretary of State Shaun Woodward and NIO Security Minister Paul Goggins in the context of ongoing contact on matters of criminal justice co-operation.

I have also met with the parents of the deceased young man in my previous role as Minister for Foreign Affairs, as did the Taoiseach and the previous Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. We conveyed to them the sympathy of the Government on their terrible loss and our determination to see justice done in this matter.