Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
796. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice the reason she or her officials did not inform a family (details supplied) that a judge was formerly a member of the Courts Service Board on their appointment to undertake the scoping exercise; and the dates on which the judge was a member of the Courts Service Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35743/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware retired District Court Judge Gerard Haughton was appointed by Minister Flanagan to conduct the Scoping Exercise into the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of the late Shane O'Farrell.
It is a matter of public record that Judge Haughton was the District Court Judges’ elected representative on the Courts Service Board. I am informed that he served in this role from 2009 until his retirement in February 2019.
I understand that Judge Haughton personally brought this matter to the attention of the family referred to on 13 February 2021.
