Vol. 560 No. 5
47 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made to date with regard to the investigation into the incident in which two gardaí were killed by a stolen car at Stillorgan on 15 April 2002; his views on newspaper reports (details supplied) regarding one of the gardaí involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2930/03]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that charges have been brought against two persons in this matter.
The first of these, who was a passenger in the stolen car, was sentenced at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on the 31 January 2003, to four year's detention. The sentence will be served from the 15 March 2004, when he has completed a sentence he is currently serving. This person pleaded guilty to the unlawful taking of the vehicle, allowing himself to be carried in it, and burglary. He was also disqualified from driving for ten years.
I am also informed that the second youth, who was allegedly the driver of the car, is currently before the courts on two charges of manslaughter, one charge of endangerment and one charge of unauthorised taking. I understand that a trial date has yet to be set.
As this matter is currently before the courts, I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment upon the newspaper article to which he has referred.
