Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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163. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the delay of the cold case file given to the Garda Commissioner on 11 March in relation to the Fr. Niall Molloy case. [22017/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that the examination surrounding the circumstances of the death of Father Niall Molloy is almost complete and that a report of this examination is expected to be submitted to the Commissioner sometime this month. Upon receipt of a report from the Commissioner I will review the situation.

I understand that the officers carrying out the examination are continuing to keep the family members of the deceased updated on progress. While I fully appreciate the concerns of the family, in any case where criminal behaviour is suspected it is only through a Garda investigation, and where evidence of criminal wrongdoing is available through the submission of a file by the Gardaí to the Director of Public Prosecutions, that persons can be brought fully to account.

Therefore, I hope that the Deputy will agree that, in the first instance, we need to allow the present Garda examination to proceed to its conclusion, which, as I have indicated, will be shortly.