Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2015
141. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will meet with the sister of a child (details supplied) who disappeared from her Donegal home in 1977 to discuss recent developments in this case. [35310/15]
View answerI am advised by the Garda authorities that a comprehensive review into this case has 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 am very conscious of the ongoing distress for the families and friends of persons who go missing and indeed met with the mother of the missing child in this case at last year's annual National Missing Persons Day. I was grateful to have been able to speak with her on that occasion and also to hear her moving address to those present as to the lasting impact for her and her family. I know that all in this House would wish to ensure that nothing we say would add to the distress the family has experienced and recognise that the examination of allegations concerning the disappearance are matters for the relevant investigatory agencies. I am aware, of course, that An Taoiseach has indicated that he would be available to meet with Ms Doherty and I will, of course, engage with him in relation to those arrangements.
