Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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338. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Questions Nos. 192 and 193 of 17 April 2014, the status of her request to An Garda Síochána for a report on the status of this case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42832/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In reply to the Deputy's Questions of 17 April 2014 it was stated that many of the recommendations made by the Oireachtas Committee had been followed through. It was also stated that further information was being sought from the Garda authorities and that further communication would be made with the Deputy when the information was to hand. I received further information from the Garda authorities relating to the case to which the Deputy refers and I regret the delay that has arisen in finalising a reply to the issues raised which is due to an administrative oversight.

Following the Barron Inquiry's report, a dedicated team of Gardaí was appointed to re-examine the case to see if there was any possibility of bringing any or all of the four suspects who had come to light to justice. I am informed by the Garda authorities that all mechanisms were fully utilised by the Gardaí to liaise with the RUC and, later, the PSNI in respect of the investigation, including requests made in the framework of Mutual Legal Assistance. Liaison was established with the PSNI who co-operated fully with the Garda investigation team.

A number of new investigative lines of inquiry were developed and explored and a file on the matter was forwarded subsequently to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommending prosecutions. However, the DPP directed on 8 October 2008 that no prosecutions should be taken on the basis of the evidence available. You will appreciate, of course, that the DPP is independent in the performance of her functions in accordance with the provisions of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974.

I am further informed that the investigating Gardaí sought information and clarification in respect of a number of matters from the authorities in Northern Ireland, through the PSNI's HET and through the established Mutual Legal Assistance mechanism. The investigating Gardaí inquired into the circumstances in which the authorities in Northern Ireland received early information on suspects in the murder and in this regard the Garda authorities are satisfied that they received full co-operation from the PSNI.

While it is a matter of regret that those responsible for this case have not been brought to justice, I would reiterate that the Garda investigation file remains open and any credible new information that is brought to attention will be pursued vigorously by the investigators.