asked the Minister for Justice whether the Garda Síochána or the Government were represented at the inquest held recently in the Six Counties into the death of a person (name supplied), a native of County Donegal, who was shot by the RUC near Pettigo some time ago; and if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Six County Inquest.
13.
The answer to the first part of the question is "no". Accordingly, the second part of the question does not arise.
Am I right in believing that the Garda authorities were concerned in this case by way of investigations and the taking of statements subsequent to the shooting? As a result of that I would expect, and I did ask at an earlier stage, that we should be represented, as this was a citizen of ours and as the Garda were already concerned in the matter.
I am not aware that the Garda were involved as the Deputy says. I deprecate this tragic death and, indeed, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has already done so in public in reply to an earlier question by the Deputy. However, I understand it is not normal for the authorities here to be represented at an inquest outside this jurisdiction. A report on the matter is awaited from the British authorities.
It may well be—and I shall be guided by both the Minister and the Chair—that the follow-up of this question——
The Deputy is embarking upon a statement.
I am asking a question.
I am awaiting that question.
I am asking for guidance from the Chair and, perhaps, from the Minister as to whether the follow-up on this question might more appropriately be directed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. May I ask a further question on that? Again I ask was the Minister not aware that the Garda took quite a number of statements, 18, I understand, from people around the area involved in or presumed to have some knowledge of the events leading up to this tragic shooting; and as it took place on a concession road, it is not quite the same thing as if it had happened——
I am afraid the Deputy is abusing the privilege of Question Time.
I am not abusing anything. This man has been abused to death.
In reply to the question the Deputy has asked me, whether or not the Garda were represented at the inquest recently held, all I can say is that the answer is "no". I have no information as to the other matters which he raises.
Finally——
It must be very final and very brief.
As brief as I can possibly make it. May I further ask the Minister why he is not aware that his Garda force were involved in this, since it was already stated on the earlier question down to the Minister for Foreign Affairs? This is what puzzles me about this. There should have been some follow-up.
I am not aware that it was part of the earlier questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. It is not surprising that I would not be aware of every investigation carried out by the Garda, particularly in the unhappy area along the Border, where deaths have occurred on both sides——
This was a concession road. This man was shot by the RUC——
Order. The Minister without interruption.
The Deputy should not shed crocodile tears. He, more than anyone else in this House, has power to contribute to the ending of that tragic state of affairs.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Blaney, please. Order.
Crocodile tears will solve nothing.