Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2015
21. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has received a report from the Director of Public Prosecutions or her officials on the recent arrests in the Tallaght area related to a protest in Jobstown, Dublin 24, in November 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7111/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the arrests to which the Deputy refers.
These arrests took place in the context of an ongoing criminal investigation which is being carried out by An Garda Síochána at present. It would clearly be wrong of me to say anything which would interfere in any way with that investigation.
I am sure the House will appreciate that it is a matter for An Garda Síochána to investigate crime. It is exclusively a matter for An Garda Síochána to decide, in accordance with the law, who is to be arrested and detained as part of any given investigation. Equally, it is a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions to decide independently in accordance with the law whether persons are charged and it is a matter for the Courts to deal with persons who are facing charges.
Anybody who has a complaint about the manner in which they have been dealt with by An Garda Síochána can bring that complaint to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission which is entirely independent in the discharge of its functions.
