Vol. 509 No. 1
283 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the reports on a case (details supplied) in which it was alleged that criminal prosecution became impossible due to the passage of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter and on any frailty in the law which it exposes. [19569/99]
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that a thorough and comprehensive investigation was carried out by the Garda in this case. The investigation file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who directed there should not be a prosecution in this case. As the Deputy will appreciate, the DPP is independent in the discharge of his statutory duties and, accordingly, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this case.
