Vol. 523 No. 5
264 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason An Garda Síochána did not send a representative of the force to the Omagh bombing inquest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21660/00]
I am advised by the Garda authorities that as a person has been charged in this jurisdiction in connection with the Omagh atrocity and as that person is currently before the courts it was considered inappropriate to send a member of the Garda Síochána to give evidence at the inquest.
I might add that the Garda authorities did have an observer at the inquest and that that officer and two other senior officers have met with relatives of persons killed in the bombing on a number of occasions. Indeed, the senior officer acting as observer at the inquest did meet with some relatives whilst attending the inquest.
