Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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596. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the State has refused to pay the legal cost of two members of An Garda Síochána who were accused of assaulting a violent teenager (details supplied); the reason no defence was entered on behalf of An Garda Síochána by the State who employ them in the first place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1689/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Section 49 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides that the Minister may contribute to the legal costs of a member of the Garda Síochána who is charged with a criminal offence if any of the acts that are alleged to constitute the offence was directly related to the performance of the member's functions.

No application for a contribution towards legal costs has been received to date in my Department from either member involved in the case referred to by the Deputy. It would not be appropriate for the Minister to comment on the conduct of cases where criminal proceedings are initiated against individuals, including members of the Garda Síochána.