Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 330: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he has taken to investigate the issues raised by a person (details supplied) who has been protesting outside Dáil Eireann for several months; if the allegations he makes relating to what happened his daughter in a public house in Dublin have been investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47078/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that, following an investigation of the matter referred to by the Deputy, a person was arrested, charged with assault and convicted. The court also ordered compensation to be paid, and I understand this was done. I am also informed that subsequent civil proceedings were settled before coming to court. Where an offence is disclosed, the matter is investigated by An Garda Síochána and an investigation file prepared for the law officers, who, in the exercise of their independent role, determine the matter of criminal charges against any person. As the Deputy is aware, the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, and it is not open to me to comment on or intervene in any way in the conduct of, or decision in, any individual court case.