Vol. 509 No. 6
98 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise with the British Government the need for a judicial inquiry into the death on 23 September 1996 of an Irish citizen (details supplied) in view of the fact that the coroner in the case has written to Home Office Minister, Mr. Paul Boateng, requesting him to consider holding such an inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20978/99]
The Government is aware that there is public concern about the exact circumstances in which the person named met his death in the course of a raid by British police officers on the house where he was staying in London. A number of persons arrested at the same address were subsequently convicted on explosive-related charges.
The circumstances of the death were investigated under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority in Britain, which stated, in November 1998, that the matter had been investigated to its satisfaction, although it recognised that the investigation had been delayed and that statements had not been obtained from two key witnesses. The PCA report and evidence were sent to the Crown Prosecution Service and to the coroner. On 26 April 1999, the CPS stated that no criminal proceedings would be brought against the officer involved in the fatal shooting, on the basis of insufficient evidence and in the belief that there was no realistic prospect of obtaining a conviction.
It is now over three years since this person was killed and concern about the circumstances of his death has not been allayed. I note that the coroner has requested the Home Secretary to agree to the holding of a judicial inquiry and I believe that, if acceded to, this would be a positive and helpful development.
