Vol. 411 No. 1
167 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs , as a result of the shooting of a person (details supplied) in Cookstown, County Tyrone, on Sunday, 29 September, if he will make representations through the Anglo-Irish Agreement to ensure that a thorough investigation takes place and that whatever court action is necessary takes place.
At my most recent meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and through the framework of the Anglo-Irish Conference, I raised the case to which the Deputy refers. I pressed the Secretary of State to ensure that all aspects of Mr. McGovern's death would be investigated thoroughly and promptly. I also underlined the need for an independent element in the investigation process capable of commanding full public confidence.
I was told by the Secretary of State that an investigation would be carried out by a senior member of the RUC and that it would be supervised by the Independent Commission for Police Complaints. I expect that a report on the investigation will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosections and I shall be keeping this case under careful review.
As the Taoiseach made clear in his statement of 1 October, the Government view with deep concern the tragic killing of Mr. McGovern. The circumstances of the killing raise once again the problem of the use of lethal force by the security forces in Northern Ireland. We shall be pressing the British Government, through the Anglo-Irish Conference, to take the action which is urgently required in order to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies.
