Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
789. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice if, further to the final terms of reference for the scoping exercise into the death of a person (details supplied), a judge was provided with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission statutory section 101 report. [35725/23]
View answer790. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice if, further to the final terms of reference of the scoping exercise into the death of a person (details supplied), a judge requested the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission statutory section 101 report as required to fulfil the obligations of their appointment. [35726/23]
View answer823. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware that the scoping exercise into the death of a person (details supplied), recently published on her Department’s website and completed by a judge on appointment by her, omits information regarding the Judicial Review taken by An Garda Síochána and that the outcome of this action was a decision by the Garda Commissioner not to discipline the gardaí for the wrongful actions raised by earlier GSOC reports regarding the person’s death on the basis that there was no evidence that the gardaí concerned were trained on the PULSE system to prepare cases for court or outcomes of same. [35984/23]
View answer824. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware that the scoping exercise into the death of a person (details supplied), recently published on her Department’s website and completed by a judge on appointment by her, omits the information that the perpetrator’s successful appeal to a 16 February 2011 drug conviction due to deficiencies in the State’s case despite the perpetrator having breached bail conditions by further arrests and leaving the State in the intervening period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35985/23]
View answer825. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware that the scoping exercise into the death of a person (details supplied) recently published on her Department's website and completed by a judge appointed by her, describes speeding convictions as trivial, if she agrees with this position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35987/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 789, 790 and 823 to 825, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware, on the 3rd of July the Department of Justice published the report of Judge Gerard Haughton arising from the scoping exercise into the circumstances surrounding the tragic and untimely death of Shane O’Farrell, aged 23 in August 2011.
Judge Haughton was appointed by Minister Flanagan in 2019 to carry out a scoping exercise in light of the public controversy surrounding the circumstances of Shane's tragic death. Specifically, the purpose of the exercise was to advise the Minister as to whether any further investigation or inquiry beyond those already carried out was necessary and, if so, to advise on the form of such investigation or inquiry and its terms of reference.
Judge Haughton's diligent work has resulted in a thorough and comprehensive 416 page report. Judge Haughton was independent in the conduct of the scoping exercise. I am satisfied that all relevant matters are set out in detail in the published report including those raised by the Deputy.
In his report, Judge Haughton has concluded that there are no circumstances surrounding the death of Mr O’Farrell which warrant further investigation or inquiry beyond those already carried out; and further that no inquiry is necessary into the systems and procedures for the sharing of information between An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service and other relevant State bodies operating at the time of Shane O'Farrell's death.
The work of Judge Haughton has concluded with the publication of the report. I encourage all those interested in the circumstances of the tragic death of Shane O'Farrell to take the time to read and reflect on the contents of Judge Haughton's detailed report, his conclusions and the recommendations he makes.
