Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2013
113. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has expressed any concerns to the Northern Ireland authorities and British Government with regard to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal who has been on remand in Maghaberry Prison for four years, against all international best practice in relation to justice and human rights in terms of the right to a speedy trial. [52688/13]
View answerI am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers and understand that the person has been charged with attempted murder of a student police officer; possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life or cause serious damage; and making use of a firearm with intent to prevent lawful arrest. He was committed for trial on 23 August 2011. An application for Judicial Review of the decision to commit the defendant for trial was taken, and was dismissed by the High Court in Belfast in a written decision issued on 22 October 2013.
Since the 2010 agreement at Hillsborough the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland and the Minister for Justice for Northern Ireland, David Ford MLA, have responsibility for policing and criminal justice policy in Northern Ireland. In the post Hillsborough period, co-operation on Justice issues has gone from strength to strength and cooperation between the PSNI and an Garda Síochána is outstanding. The Government’s focus is to ensure that policing and justice systems which are in place in Northern Ireland are consistent with the principles and values of the Good Friday Agreement and the other agreements for which we are co-guarantors.
In this context, the detention of the person referred to does not arise by virtue of powers vested in the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland but under devolved powers vested in the Northern Ireland Courts which are independent in the exercise of their functions. This is in keeping with the devolved arrangements arising from the Good Friday Agreement and the Hillsborough Agreement. As the matter is still outstanding, it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further, or to seek to influence the matters to which the Deputy refers.
