Vol. 491 No. 2
11 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Garda inquiries are still ongoing in the case of a person (details supplied) murdered in May 1976; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11416/98]
23 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Garda inquiries are still ongoing in the case of a person (details supplied) murdered in May 1976; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11415/98]
46 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Garda inquiries are still ongoing in the case of a person (details supplied) murdered in May 1976; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11412/98]
58 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Garda inquiries are still ongoing in the case of a person (details supplied) murdered in May 1976; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11414/98]
67 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Garda inquiries are still ongoing in the case of a person (details supplied) murdered in May 1976; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11417/98]
84 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Garda inquiries are still ongoing in the case of a person (details supplied) murdered in May 1976; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11413/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 23, 46, 58, 67 and 84 together.
As the House is aware from my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 343 of 24 March 1998, I sought a report on this matter from the Garda Commissioner arising from media coverage which made numerous allegations concerning the original investigation in 1976.
The Garda Commissioner has since reported to me on the case outlining the actions taken by the Garda since dissatisfaction about aspects of the case was first expressed by the deceased's family during the course of 1996.
I cannot go into the detail of the report supplied to me by the Garda Commissioner but I can say that certain matters have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland for consideration by him.
What further action might be taken by the garda in this case will depend on the outcome of this consideration. The situation, therefore, is that I can confirm that the Garda investigation remains open and the up-to-date position is as I have outlined.
