Vol. 576 No. 3
11 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Defence the progress of the investigation into the circumstances in which a suspected pipe bomb was found inside the perimeter of Gormanston Army camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29451/03]
As I indicated previously to the House, investigations are being conducted by the military police and the Garda into the circumstances surrounding the discovery on 15 April 2003 of an improvised explosive device inside the perimeter of Gormanston camp. The IED, which was discovered by a member of the Defence Forces based in the camp, was disarmed by a Defence Forces explosives ordnance disposal team. Sections of the IED were taken away for forensic examination by the Garda. The remainder was destroyed in situ by controlled explosion by the EOD team.
I am advised that the outcome of the Garda investigation is not yet available. A report has been requested from the Garda authorities and is awaited. The military police investigation cannot be finalised until the Garda investigation is completed.
Will the Minister state why it has taken so long to conclude the inquiry into this matter? It is more than nine months since the device was found. Does the Minister accept that it is a potentially serious matter to have what appears to have been a pipe bomb found inside a military installation? Has there been a review of security in light of the discovery?
I believe it was seven months ago, not nine months. It is a fairly lengthy period but I do not have authority in this matter. It is entirely a matter for the Garda Síochána. As Deputy Sherlock will be aware, some investigations are conducted very comprehensively and quickly while other investigations take a longer time. I have no way of knowing how long the investigation will take. I am anxious that the Garda investigation would be concluded as quickly as possible. The military police and the military investigation can only proceed once the Garda investigation is completed. Security measures are always tightened up when such devices are discovered. The military technical experts are always directly involved in the assessment of such circumstances.
In view of the urgency of the matter, when does the Minister expect to receive the Garda report on this matter and has he asked for it to be expedited?
Deputy Sherlock is an old and shrewd campaigner and he is asking me the same question in another way. If I knew the answer, I would not be here but somewhere else. I must wait for the report.
