Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Jul 1998

Vol. 493 No. 5

Written Answers. - Departmental Correspondence.

Jim Mitchell

Ceist:

230 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he received a letter from Deputy Jim Mitchell dated 2 April 1998 with a copy of a letter (details supplied) in relation to a complaint to the gardaí; if so, the reason he has not replied to that letter; if he is in a position to reply to the contents of the enclosed letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16837/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I can confirm that the Deputy's letter was received and subsequently acknowledged on 7 April 1998. The matter has been the subject of correspondence between the Department and the Garda authorities since then.

I can now inform the Deputy that I have recently been advised by the Garda authorities that the alleged incident referred to in the Deputy's correspondence is currently the subject of an investigation by a senior Garda officer appointed by the Garda Commissioner. I am further informed that it is expected he will submit his report shortly to the Garda authorities who will then decide on an appropriate course of action.

The Deputy should have received an interim reply to his query to keep him abreast of developments, and I regret that this did not happen on this occasion.