Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will set up a commission of investigation pursuant top the Commission of Investigation Act 2004 in respect of the suspected murder of Reverend Father Niall Molloy CC late of Castlecoote, County Roscommon on 8 July 1985; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22243/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the incident referred to was the subject of investigation by An Garda Síochána, which resulted in the submission of an investigation file to the law officers, who directed that a person be charged with manslaughter and assault. At the ensuing trial directions to acquit were given by the judge. Following the publication of an article concerning this case in October, 2010, representations were made requesting an investigation of the matters raised in it. I understand that the Commissioner arranged for a Detective Superintendent to meet the author of the article and the persons making the representations to make an assessment of whether there was any evidence which was not available to the original investigation team and if further investigation was required in this case. As a result, a number of lines of inquiry were identified for examination by An Garda Síochána. I have received an update on progress on the matter from the Garda Commissioner but the examination remains ongoing and I expect to receive a final report upon its completion, at which point I will review the situation.