Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

424. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to recent podcasts by a newspaper (details supplied) regarding the miscarriages of justice in the Sallins mail train robbery case; and his plans to review the alleged behaviour of members of An Garda Síochána. [31549/25]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

425. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number, date and results of reviews that were instigated as a result of the Sallins mail train robbery, in view of recent podcasts by a newspaper (details supplied) regarding alleged miscarriages of justice. [31550/25]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 424 and 425 together.

The Deputy will be aware that the questions raised relate to an investigation conducted nearly 50 years ago. This culminated in the Courts overturning the convictions of two people in 1980, a presidential pardon for a third person in 1992, and the subsequent payment of financial settlements.

At the time, this case undeniably cast a shadow on the trust we place in our criminal justice and policing systems to ensure justice is done. It is important to emphasise, however, that this case occurred several decades ago and I can say, without question, that the safeguards which were available at that time to those who were the subject of investigation were very different to those now in place.

Following the reports of Ó Briain Committee (1978) and the Martin Committee (1990), the Criminal Justice Act 1984 which regulates the treatment of persons in custody, the Garda Síochána (Complaints) Act 1986, and the Criminal Procedure Act 1993 containing a new appeal procedure based on an alleged miscarriage of justice, were introduced.

In this century, the State has continued to enact legislation to develop and update our oversight processes, most recently through the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 which I commenced in April. Ireland now has an exceptionally robust system of independent oversight of policing in place. Moreover, a human rights ethos is at the heart of the Garda Code of Ethics and the Garda Commissioner has brought a strong organisational focus in recent years to embedding the principle that human rights are the foundation and purpose of policing into the everyday actions of members of An Garda Síochána.

Given all the developments that have taken place in the intervening years, including the adjudication by the Courts, and the granting of a presidential pardon, I am not aware of any matter of urgent public interest which would warrant reopening the matter.

As the Deputy will be aware, a number of civil society organisations submitted a petition to my predecessor calling for a statutory inquiry into this case. I am considering the petition and expect to be in a position to respond to the petitioners shortly.