Vol. 499 No. 5
10 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the disciplinary action, if any, taken against a member of the Garda (details supplied) who was convicted of serious offences arising from an incident in Portarlington, County Laois, in which a pedestrian was killed and the driver left the scene of the accident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3034/99]
This was a tragic incident which resulted in the death of a person. Our first thoughts have to turn to the family and friends of the deceased and I express my condolences to them. Nothing we can do can make up for the grief they have suffered.
As the Deputy is aware, a member of the Garda Síochána was subsequently prosecuted and convicted of a number of offences under the Road Traffic Acts in connection with this incident. The criminal proceedings in respect of those charges were completed on 14 October 1998.
The matter does not rest there. It is a matter of concern when a member of the Garda Síochána is convicted of a criminal offence and the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations, 1989, set out the procedures to be followed and the sanctions that can be imposed in the case of disciplinary action.
At the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, the Garda authorities initiated a disciplinary investigation. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the investigation is now complete and a disciplinary inquiry, that is, a hearing before a board appointed by the Garda Commissioner, will be held shortly. I do not wish to express comments or opinions at this stage which might be construed as prejudicial to the outcome of that inquiry.
