Vol. 505 No. 5
123 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the criminal investigation, if any, taking place in any hospital or institution under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13708/99]
The Garda Commissioner is independent in operational matters and that Garda investigations are not carried out under the aegis of my Department or any other Department of State.
I hope the Deputy will appreciate, however, that it is not the practice of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to comment on individual Garda investigations save in the most exceptional of circumstances. Due to operational reasons, great care must be taken not to prejudice the outcome of any ongoing Garda investigation or subsequent prosecution.
If the Deputy has a specific investigation or issue in mind I will, of course, make the necessary inquiries if he supplies me with details.
124 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself that all possible steps were taken to deal with the case of a murdered child (details supplied); if the file in this case is still open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14088/99]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the person to whom the parliamentary question refers was a five and a half year old boy, who was murdered on 20 June 1961.
I understand that despite a thorough and comprehensive Garda investigation, no person was made amenable for the murder. The murder remains undetected, and the file on the matter is still open.
