asked the Minister for Justice the progress which has been made by the Garda in identifying and bringing to justice those responsible for the murder of Mr. Harry Keyes in County Donegal on 15 January 1989; if, in view of the allegations that those involved were also responsible for a number of other murders in Northern Ireland, he intends to make any additional resources available to the Garda; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Murder.
8.
As has been explained to the House on other occasions, it is not the practice for Ministers for Justice to make statements about details of Garda investigations that are still in progress, except in singular instances where the circumstances are so exceptional that such a course is deemed appropriate. I do not propose to depart from that practice in this case. I can say that I have been assured by the Commissioner that the Garda have available to them all the resources they need for the conduct of the investigation in question.
I accept the Minister's point in regard to the need for the Garda to carry out their investigations in as confidential a manner as possible. However, I am sure the Minister will accept that the murder of Mr. Keyes was exceptional in that the organisation who claimed to have carried it out also claim that they do not carry out such activities in the Republic of Ireland. They have said that they direct their attacks against what they choose to term as the British security forces. In the light of that will the Minister accept that there is reason for concern among the public at newspaper articles indicating that the killers are known but that the Garda appear to be helpless in their efforts to bring them before the courts?
The murder of Harry Keyes is being investigated by the Garda and no effort will be spared to track down the perpetrators. The Garda have all the necessary resources to conduct the investigation. I am satisfied that everything that needs to be done is being done and I have been assured of that by the Commissioner. I accept that assurance.
Will the Minister indicate whether a file has been sent to the DPP in relation to this murder and to any or all of the suspected persons?
The case is being investigated by the Garda and when that is completed they will take the next step, which is to communicate with the Director of Public Prosecutions who will decide what action to take.