Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2025
538. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if he has corresponded with the family of a person (details supplied) since his appointment; when he intends to meet with the family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5721/25]
View answer539. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if all reports of the investigations carried out by the An Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission were considered by the scoping exercise in relation to the death of a person (details supplied); if not, if this is compatible with the terms of reference of the scoping exercise, which specifically requested that all such reports be taken into account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5722/25]
View answer540. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if he will request the An Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to provide the family of a person (details supplied) with the section 101 report compiled in respect of this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5723/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 538 to 540, inclusive, together.
The sudden loss in 2011 of Shane O'Farrell at such a young age, with his whole life ahead of him, is a desperate tragedy for all those who knew and loved him and one which will always be an immense source of grief in their lives.
The report of former Judge Gerard Haughton arising from the Scoping Exercise into the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Shane O'Farrell, was published on 3rd July 2023. The Judge was appointed by former Minister Flanagan in 2019 to carry out a Scoping Exercise in light of the controversy surrounding the circumstances of Mr O'Farrell'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.
The work of the Judge resulted in a 416 page report which did not recommend any further inquiry.
The Report makes a number of important recommendations on suspended sentences legislation, certain aspects in relation to dangerous driving (Road Traffic Act 1961), specific aspects of the law relating to inquests and the role of the Gardaí, and an audit of relevant Courts Service accounts by the Courts Service Audit and Risk Committee (in relation to the misplacing of Appeal papers by the Court Service). I understand that the Report of the Scoping Exercise considered the outcome and/or reports of investigations carried out by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.
The report is available at the following link: - www.gov.ie/en/publication/d4410-report-of-scoping-exercise-in-relation-to-the-death-of-shane-ofarrell/.
I intend to write to the Justice Committee shortly to ask it to look at the recommendations and conclusions of the report of the scoping exercise. I will also be meeting again with Shane’s mother in the near future, to talk about the role of the Justice Committee and to listen carefully to what she has to say in respect of this matter.
