Vol. 548 No. 1
131 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he last received a briefing concerning a murder investigation (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that to date no arrest has been made and nobody has been charged with the murder; if he is satisfied that sufficient Garda resources are available for the investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4068/02]
I fully appreciate the concerns of the public with regard to this case. Individual Garda investigations are an operational matter for the Garda authorities.
As regards the investigation in question, I am informed by the Garda authorities that since the date of the murder, extensive inquiries have been carried out. More than 5,000 people have been interviewed in the course of house to house inquiries and checkpoints. I am also informed that approximately 2,800 statements have been taken and a number of people have been arrested in the course of the investigation to date. I am further informed that sufficient resources are available for the investigation of this murder. I understand that a detective inspector involved with the case is acting as liaison officer with the family, who are being kept informed of progress. Public interest has been maintained by means of numerous appeals through the print media and four separate features on the "Crimeline" programme. I am assured that investigation is still under way and that every effort is being made to bring the investigation to a successful conclusion.
