asked the Minister for Defence whether a full scale inquiry was carried out into the shooting of a civilian near Navan by the Army a few months ago; and, if so, if he will make available the fullest details.
30.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shooting of Civilian.
29.
asked the Minister for Defence the steps he has taken to ensure against a recurrence of the type of incident in which a civilian was shot by the Defence Forces near Navan some months ago.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 30 together.
The incident referred to in the questions has been investigated by the military authorities. It has also been the subject matter of inquiries by the Garda Síochána. Pending the outcome of those inquiries, I consider that it would be inappropriate for me to make a statement in the matter.
I should like to ask the Minister, regardless of the outcome of these inquiries, to commit himself in the public interest to having a public inquiry into this particular incident. A closed inquiry, no matter how diligently carried out, cannot meet this particular case in that it is a most unusual case, the first of any such cases which leaves so many questions unanswered and there is a great unease in the public mind as to the manner in which the Defence Forces are being used for these police duties.
I will endeavour to help the Deputy as best I can in this matter. The position is that nobody has been charged. Therefore, the matter is not sub judice and the Deputy is quite in order in asking questions. However, at the same time, the matter is with the civil authorities and they have not concluded their investigations. While we have held a military investigation on the matter, the civil authorities have not concluded their investigations. The matter is in Limbo and at this moment the decision of the civil authorities is awaited as to what they intend doing, whether anybody is to be charged or whether a report on the incident is to be sent to me. Then, and only then, can I comment on the military investigation.
Has the Minister had any information as to the likely date when the Garda inquiries may conclude and also whether the military inquiry has concluded? Talking of limbo, I should like to ask what is to become of the victim of this shooting who is very much in limbo at the moment in that he is paralysed and in a rehabilitation centre in Dún Laoghaire without any real means of support? What is to become of this individual in the future?
The answer to the first supplementary is that I am hopeful that the civil authorities will finalise this matter within a matter of weeks, not months. The person who was injured in the incident is receiving the very best medical care. I reject any implication at this stage that there is any fault to be found with the arrangements, the regulations or with any individual person.
Is the Minister aware if the authorities who would seem to be involved and responsible for this young man's present dire plight have and are taking an interest in the case as to the well-being of this young man and whether this young man's future will be in any way secure by way of compensation for the shooting that has taken place? It is very important and is the cause of deep concern——
I have given the Deputy considerable latitude on the question.
The Deputy has asked two supplementaries and I am endeavouring to help him in every way. First, the Minister for Defence is certainly taking a very active interest in the whole situation. The answer to the second supplementary is that the matter is with the civil authorities who must clear it and then we can become more actively interested in it. In the meantime, all that can be done is to make sure that the person who is injured is receiving the best medical attention, and that has been done.
I am calling Question No. 31.
Arising from the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I wish to give notice that I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy on the matter.