Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 6

Other Questions. - Garda Investigations.

Jim Higgins

Question:

5 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of investigations in relation to which he has sought specific reports from the Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

As part of the conduct of normal business, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department regularly have occasion to ask the Garda about progress in the conduct of investigations which are under way or about the outcome of investigations. The information may be required for any one of a number of reasons but more often than not it is for the purpose of replying to queries or correspondence from the public or to answer parliamentary questions etc.

No specific record is maintained either by the Minister or the Department of the number of requests made and it would be impossible, therefore, to provide the figure sought by the Deputy either in respect of requests made since I became Minister or in respect of similar requests made to my predecessors.

(Mayo): Did the Minister request a specific report on the 1985 murder of John Corcoran, Ballyvolane, Cork?

I sought and have read the report. That is as much as I wish to say on the subject now.

(Mayo): The body of John Corcoran, an epileptic married man with eight children was found on Saturday, 23 March 1985. He had been shot in the head. Is the Minister aware that Seán O'Callaghan, a self-confessed IRA killer and informer, has admitted to this murder and given graphic details about the manner in which he arrested John Corcoran, questioned him and shot him with a Beretta gun? Is he also aware that he has given graphic details of raids carried out in the Minister's constituency? Why has this gentleman not been arrested?

The Deputy did not indicate in his initial question that he would raise this matter and to that extent I am surprised that he has done so. A considerable number of reports are sought by my Department and me as Minister and we receive replies in the normal way. I requested a report on this incident. However, in fairness to me Deputy Higgins should have tabled a specific question on the matter. This would have enabled me to give him the information he requires in so far as it is possible to do so.

I am well aware of the circumstances surrounding the case to which the Deputy refers. If I was not so aware, I would not have sought the report. It has been suggested that I am unwilling to answer questions about this matter. My inquiries into the case are not closed and I do not wish to say anything which would prejudice it. I remind the Deputy that operational issues are not a matter for me but policy matters are.

The Deputy should table a specific question on the matter.

(Mayo): Will the Minister agree that his so-called surprise is disingenuous? Does he not recall telling The Kerryman, as reported in the 20 December 1996 edition, that, “Where there is a public admission of a commission of a crime like this there is a clear onus on the authorities——

It is not in order to quote at Question Time, which is for the purpose of eliciting information from the Minister, not giving it to him.

(Mayo): Given that the Minister was so clear and specific that this man should be arrested and brought before the courts immediately — he stated this in local and national newspapers on several occasions — and that he has confessed to the murder, there should be no need for an inquiry or report. This man should be arrested, tried and, if convicted——

This is a separate matter and the Deputy should pursue it by way of separate question.

(Mayo): The Minister has been in office for eight months. Why is he dragging his feet on this issue in view of the clear and unequivocal commitments given by him in Opposition?

The Deputy should table a question on the matter.

If Deputy Higgins wished to raise a particular matter, in fairness to me and my Department he should have tabled a question on it. This kind of subterfuge is not desirable or helpful in terms of giving information to the House. The Deputy referred to a particular investigation by way of supplementary questions which he declined to refer to in his initial question. I do not know the reason for this.

(Mayo): The matter was raised on the Adjournment and the Minister knows the reason.

I have no intention of facilitating the Deputy by discussing an investigation. I sought a report and my inquiries into the matter have not been concluded. I can express an opinion as Deputy Higgins can but I will not express an opinion which would prejudice a case which may come before the courts. The arrest and charging of an individual is a matter for the Garda and the prosecuting authorities. I cannot assist the Deputy beyond that other than to say I am acting responsibly in the matter, as I did in Opposition.

Top
Share