Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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97. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a murder case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5160/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The correspondence supplied by the Deputy contains a request by a third party to have the particular case reviewed under the Independent Review Mechanism set up to consider allegations of Garda misconduct and inadequacies in the investigation of such allegations.

As the Deputy is aware, the Independent Review Mechanism was set up for the specific purpose of considering matters of, or relating to, Garda misconduct. The concerns raised in the material provided do not, on the face of it, appear to raise any issues of Garda misconduct but refer to matters which occurred during the course of a trial.

While I appreciate the difficulties and distress that people engaged in court proceedings can experience, the position is that the courts are subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. The conduct of any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. As the Deputy is aware, I cannot comment or intervene in any way in relation to how particular proceedings are conducted or on the outcome of those proceedings.

A copy of the correspondence was also forwarded directly to my Department by e-mail on 26 January 2015 and a reply will issue to the writer in due course.