Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2015
119. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the matters raised recently concerning the disappearance of a child (details supplied) in 1977; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35287/15]
View answerAs I have outlined in my earlier response today to a Parliamentary Question on this subject, I am advised by the Garda authorities that a comprehensive review into this case has in fact been ongoing since 2011, under the direction of the Assistant Commissioner for the Northern Region. All aspects of the original investigation and subsequent reviews have been examined by the Garda Review Team. As part of the Garda inquiry, a file is currently with the Director of Public Prosecution following the arrest of a person in October 2014 in connection with the disappearance. I understand that the case has also been the subject of an investigation by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, on foot of complaints to that office. I am further advised that within the past two weeks, further statements have been made to the Gardaí in relation to the case and that these will now be examined by the Review Team.
I would also restate my concern that nothing we say add to the distress the family has experienced and that the examination of allegations concerning the disappearance are matters for the relevant investigatory agencies.
