Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2006
60 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the internal Garda review into the death of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly has been completed; and if he has proposals for an independent examination of the circumstances surrounding the death and the investigation that followed. [41066/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt an inquest on 26 April, 2004 on the person referred to by the Deputy, the jury brought in a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence that the cause of death was due to immersion in fresh water. I am informed that as a result of allegations made by the family of the person the Garda authorities examined the investigation file on the death of that person, as a result of which they decided that a Superintendent from outside the Garda District where the death took place would carry out a new investigation. This investigation is now completed, and I have, in the past two days, received a report on it from the Garda authorities.
I am informed that in the second investigation the Garda authorities did not find evidence to substantiate the allegations regarding the cause of death or the conduct of the original investigation. However, that second investigation did find that some aspects of the original investigation could have been carried out more professionally, but that these did not affect the outcome of the investigation. In addition to the second Garda investigation, I understand that the State Pathologist reviewed two medical opinions obtained by the family and the post mortem findings. She did not find anything to cast doubt on the inquest's findings.
I also understand that the second Garda investigation file has been forwarded to the Law Officers and their directions are awaited. It would, therefore, be premature for me to comment further on it at this stage. I am giving further consideration to the recently received Garda report into the matter.
