Vol. 523 No. 1
913 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will initiate a public inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) at Abbeylara, County Longford, in April 2000. [19992/00]
I am, of course, aware that there have been calls for a public inquiry into what happened in Abbeylara, but I have always taken the view that it would be premature, in the absence of a full knowledge of all the circumstances, to conclude that there are grounds for such an inquiry. We should first, I believe, examine the facts established by the Garda investigation before we form conclusions as to what further action might be needed.
In this context, the Deputy will be aware that I have agreed that the findings of the Garda inquiry should be referred to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights for its consideration. I will very shortly lay the necessary motions before both Houses.
It is also worth recalling that the inquest into the death of the person in question is due to resume shortly and that this constitutes an important element in the process of investigation into what happened at Abbeylara.
