Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

282. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he has taken to set up a public inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) following the vote in Dáil Éireann on 14 June 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47074/18]

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

As the Deputy is aware, an investigation was undertaken by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission into certain matters related to the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Shane O'Farrell. The purpose of the investigation was to assess whether the conduct of any Garda member would constitute an offence. GSOC’s investigation found that, while no such conduct occurred which would require criminal sanction, certain aspects were identified as requiring further investigation which may lead to disciplinary proceedings against one or more members. That further investigation by GSOC is on-going and I do not propose to comment on that matter while the investigation is proceeding.

As I have made clear to the House, both in response to the motion calling for an investigation and subsequently in response to various Parliamentary Questions, it is imperative that the independence of the Ombudsman Commission be respected and any further action be deferred until the current investigation is completed. I reiterate the point that the question of what further action might be taken will be fully considered by Government as soon as the disciplinary investigation is completed.