Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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86. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the Crowley report regarding the killing of a person (details supplied) will be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9774/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The fatal shooting of Aidan McAnespie in February 1988 was a devastating tragedy for Aidan McAnespie’s family and for the people of Aughnacloy. Given the public disquiet following the shooting, the then Government commissioned a report into the circumstances that was carried out by then Garda Deputy Commissioner Crowley.

Given the circumstances in which the Crowley report was carried out and the commitments given to many local people who co-operated, it has not been considered possible to date to publish the report in its entirety.

The Deputy will appreciate that the Government has a persisting obligation to the commitments given to those people in the locality.

I am very familiar with the case for many years and have extended my personal sympathies to the family. I fully understand the frustration of the McAnespie family and their concern to access any information that might be available. It is a source of regret to me that this issue causes any pain to them.

Given the passage of time and my desire to do all I can to assist the family, I am currently examining options that may be available in this regard in respect of the Crowley report and I am in correspondence with the Attorney General about it.