On a number of occasions my predecessor outlined to the House in some detail the background to this case. I refer the Deputy to his response to Question No. 11 of 21 February 2002.
The Deputy will recall that two persons initially confessed to the crimes in question, one of whom subsequently withdrew his confession. Following consultation between the Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the first person to confess was charged with one of the murders and was remanded in custody at a special sitting of the Dublin District Court. Subsequently, the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that criminal proceedings against this person be discontinued.
A file concerning the second person was subsequently submitted to the director who decided no prosecution should take place. I have no function in relation to the prosecution of offences. That is the responsibility of the Director of Public Prosecutions who is independent in the exercise of his functions.
I discussed this case at some length today with the Garda Commissioner who has advised me that he proposes very soon to communicate with the families involved and to bring certain matters in relation to this into the public domain as soon as he can. I ask Deputies to bear in mind that the Garda Commissioner, Mr. Byrne, stressed that in that case he is to some extent constrained by the fact that there are still some outstanding prosecution issues involved and he does not want to do anything that would prejudge those matters. In fairness to the families involved and pending further discussions with the commissioner, I should defer final decisions on the question of further inquiries.