Patrick Costello
Question:426. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the plans that exist for an independent policing historical investigation unit to investigate Troubles-related incidents in the State. [42863/20]
View answerTuesday, 15 December 2020
Questions (426)
Written answers
The Deputy will be aware that the Historical Investigation Unit structure, as proposed in the Stormont House Agreement, was specific to Northern Ireland. In this jurisdiction the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, under the command of the Assistant Commissioner for Organised and Serious Crime, holds a national investigative remit and is specialised in the area of major crime investigation. It undertakes and supports investigations on the direction of the Garda Commissioner.
The support provided includes where appropriate deploying the expertise of the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT), which was established in 2007 to provide for independent review of historical investigations, including homicides. The purpose of a review conducted by the SCRT is to assist the Senior Investigating Officer with the criminal investigation. These reviews constitute an independent examination of evidence and other material, gathered during investigation and to ensure that it conforms to approved standards; that the investigation has been thorough, conducted with integrity and objectivity; and to identify further investigative opportunities. The remit of the SCRT is broad and would include reviews of troubles-related cases, where appropriate.
I am assured that in circumstances where historic offences have not been resolved, the investigations remain open and the Garda Authorities will and do follow up fully on any new evidence or information that becomes available to them, whether that comes from the public, from other police services or from their own investigations.