Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 7

Written Answers. - Missionary Workers.

Willie Penrose

Question:

31 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has received a report from the Ugandan authorities regarding the circumstances of the killing of a person (details supplied) in 2002; if he is satisfied with the report received; if he will support a call from this person's order and members of his family for an independent inquiry into the killing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14760/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The killing of Fr. Declan O'Toole and two companions in Uganda in March 2002 was a shocking tragedy. Two members of the Ugandan Army were quickly convicted of the murders by field court martial and executed. At that time, the Government expressed deep concern to the Ugandan authorities, both about the circumstances of the killings and the nature of the judicial process that followed.

In response to our representations, the Ugandan Government established a five-person board of inquiry comprising senior members of the Ugandan Army to investigate the circumstances of the killings and the judicial process. This board has now reported and we have received a copy of the report which we passed on to the O'Toole family and to the Mill Hill Fathers.

A key concern on the part of the Government had been the suspicion of complicity in the murders by the Ugandan Army, arising from an incident two weeks prior to the killings in which Fr. O'Toole had been assaulted by a soldier. Our representative in Uganda made clear in his testimony to the board that the suspicion of complicity arising from this incident had to be addressed. He also expressed concern at the all-military composition of the board.

In its report, the board states that it did not "find any evidence indicating complicity of the army in the murder of Fr. O'Toole and that the murder resulted from a criminal act by two soldiers acting on their own. It concludes, in other words, that the murders were the result of a robbery attempt which went horribly wrong.

The Government is currently considering the findings of the report, as are Fr. O'Toole's family and the Mill Hill Fathers, with whom we remain in close contact. Our understanding is that members of the family have not, so far, made any request for an independent inquiry into the circumstances of Fr. Declan's death.

I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the Government's deepest condolences on the death of Fr. Declan O'Toole and his two companions and to pay renewed tribute to Fr. Declan's selfless and dedicated work on behalf of the poor in Uganda. Fr. Declan stands in a great tradition of Irish missionaries who have devoted themselves at great personal sacrifice to the needs of the most disadvantaged people in Africa and elsewhere.

Question No. 32 answered with Question No. 27.