Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Jun 1991

Vol. 409 No. 4

Written Answers. - County Armagh Shooting.

Enda Kenny

Question:

64 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised the matter of the shooting of Fergal Carraher at Cullyhanna, County Armagh on 30 December, 1990 at the Anglo Irish Conference; if so, if he will outline the Government's position on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Enda Kenny

Question:

65 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is intended to have any Government representative at the public inquiry to be held on 22 and 23 June, 1991 in Cullyhanna, County Armagh in connection with the shooting of Fergal Carraher on 30 December 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.

I share the very serious sense of disquiet which exists about the shooting of Fergal and Michael Carraher in Cullyhanna on 30 December last and I have raised the matter at every subsequent meeting of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. In doing so, I emphasised that there was widespread concern about the shootings and that a thorough, impartial and prompt investigation of all the circumstances was called for.

It is imperative that members of the security forces should at all times act within the law; any public perception to the contrary would have the most damaging consequences. There have been a number of controversial killings in recent times which raise very serious questions about the use of lethal force by members of the security forces. These cases have been raised through the Anglo-Irish Secretariat and at meetings of the Intergovernmental Conference. I have proposed a number of changes in the procedures for handling cases of this kind. Furthermore, I have called for a thorough examination of the whole area of the use of lethal force by the security forces, including the investigative process in such cases and the adequacy of the existing law to meet the clear needs of the situation.

While the Government will not be represented at the inquiry which is being held in Cullyhanna on 22-23 June, I will be interested to read any report which may be prepared as a result of that inquiry.