Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2014
623. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the inquest into the murder of a person (details supplied) was adjourned for the 13th time in March and that this, and the refusal of An Garda Síochána to share vital information with the Police Ombudsman in the North, is causing great distress to the family and obstructing the investigation by the Police Ombudsman. [19615/14]
View answerThe murder of the person to whom the Deputy refers was a brutal act and we all hope that its perpetrators will be brought to justice. I am sure the Deputy would agree with me that there can never be any justification for the criminal, violent taking of human life, no matter what the circumstances. I am aware that the Coroner's Inquest into this killing has been adjourned on a number of occasions since it opened and I can, of course, understand that this would be a cause of concern for the victim's family. The Deputy will be aware, however, that such adjournments are provided for in cases where a criminal investigation is ongoing in order to ensure that the criminal investigation would not be compromised.
I am aware also that the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman is conducting an investigation into certain matters relating to the victim in this case and has sought the assistance of the Garda Síochána. To the extent that it is possible for the Garda authorities to co-operate with the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman they will seek to do so. They must, however, be conscious of the legal constraints applying given that they must ensure the ongoing murder inquiry and the chances of a successful prosecution arising would not be compromised in any way. I am sure the Deputy will agree that the first duty of the Garda Síochána in this matter is to investigate the brutal killing that has taken place in this jurisdiction and to make those responsible for it amenable to the courts.
