Written answers

Tuesday, 17 February 2015

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Investigations

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

328. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied) in which a person was fatally shot in Dundalk, County Louth; the circumstances under which the suspect was granted permits for firearms; by whom; the number of permits granted and for what purposes; if the suspect had any previous convictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7124/15]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have asked the Garda Commissioner for a report in relation to the matter and will write to the Deputy as soon as I have further information.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

329. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will assist in locating documents pertaining to a Garda investigation and coroner's report into the death of a person (details supplied) in County Louth in 1981. [7126/15]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can inform the Deputy that the particular case to which he refers is amongst those being considered under the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach, with a view to determining to what extent and in what manner further action may be required in each case.

The maintenance of individual Garda investigation files is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner and is not a matter in which I have any role or function. However, I understand that the file referred to by the Deputy has come to light and that a copy of it has been made available to the Independent Review Mechanism. I also understand that a member of the family of the person referred to by the Deputy has been notified that this is the case.

I have no role or function in relation to the conduct of individual inquests. The legislation governing coroner matters, the Coroners Act 1962, provides that a coroner is a statutory officer exercising quasi-judicial functions in relation to which he or she is independent. The conduct of the inquest and the release of documents is solely at the discretion of the coroner.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.