asked the Minister for Justice if in view of recent disclosures in the media (details supplied) alleging Garda involvement, he will make a full statement on the outcome of his investigations into the illegal placement of listening devices in a house at Kilbarrack where the Deputy Leader of the SDLP stayed.
Written Answers. - Listening Devices.
327.
, Limerick East): The investigations mentioned were carried out by the Garda Síochána, not by me. So far, at all events, they have not succeeded in establishing responsibility for the placing of the listening device in the house.
I assume that when the Deputy uses the word "disclosure" he means disclosure of the fact that a certain person had made an affidavit in which he said that he was satisfied that he had identified a particular member of the Garda Síochána as one of three people who had been at the house in question at the relevant time. The Garda authorities had already conducted an inquiry into what amounted to a similar allegation affecting the member concerned and three others but, on receipt of the affidavit, they reexamined the matter and collected additional information. The result was to confirm their earlier findings. They are satisfied beyond doubt that the member could not have been the person seen at the house because they have proof that he was elsewhere at the relevant time. It is well recognised not only in the Garda Síochána but in police forces in other countries that identifications, especially where the person who is the subject of the identification was not previously known to the other, are at times found to be incorrect.
A reply setting out the position was sent to the person who handed in the affidavit.