Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

87. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will meet with the representatives of a family (details supplied) regarding a request by them for an inquiry into the death of a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32971/17]

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

101. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to commission an inquiry into the murder of a person (details supplied) in 1970 to deal with unanswered questions with regard both the death of the person and the subsequent investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32967/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 101 together.

I sympathise with the family of the victim in the case to which the Deputy refers. This was a brutal killing carried out in the course of a bank robbery; indeed, the crime was an attack on the State itself.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the Garda Serious Crime Review Team carried out a full review of this case. That review process involved a thorough examination of all available material and of the original Garda investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder. The review also sought to identify any new or additional investigative opportunities and/or any other sources of information which may have come to light in the years since the original investigation. I am aware that family members of the victim have met and corresponded with the Serious Crime Review Team on several occasions in the course of its work on this case.

I am informed that the findings of the Serious Crime Review Team indicate that the murder was comprehensively investigated at the time and that no new evidence that might open further avenues of investigation has been presented. However, the investigators will follow up fully on any new or previously undisclosed information that might advance the investigation.

A number of persons faced prosecution in respect of this crime but none was convicted. Even at this remove in time, I urge anyone with any information that could advance the investigation to bring it immediately to the attention of An Garda Síochána.

The Deputy will wish to be aware that I am in ongoing correspondence with a family member in respect of issues raised with regard to the case and the request for an inquiry, and I will be in further correspondence directly with that family member in this matter in the near future.