Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
914. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions he has taken following the vote of Dáil Éireann to have a public inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied). [34014/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe resolution which was passed in this House on 14 June 2018 called on the Government to establish a public inquiry into the tragic death of this young man. It also referred, inter alia, to information systems within the Courts Service to facilitate access to information in respect to sentences imposed or orders made on persons previously convicted of offences.
As the Deputy is aware, certain matters related to the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of the young man in question were the subject of an investigation conducted by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. The report published by GSOC of its investigation found that there was no conduct by any member of the Gardaí which would constitute an offence. However, there was conduct that requires further investigation which may lead to disciplinary proceedings against one or more members. That further investigation by GSOC is on-going and I do not propose to comment on that matter while the investigation is proceeding.
In response to the motion calling for an investigation into the death of the person referred to in the Deputy's question, the Government, respecting fully the independence of GSOC, proposed that any further action be deferred until the current investigation was completed.
I want to reiterate the Government's undertaking that when investigations are completed, the question of what further action might be taken will be considered.
The motion referred to the need to examine the actions of the Gardaí, the Director of Public Prosecutions, GSOC and the courts. I recognise, as I did during the debate, the failings that occurred in the run up to this tragic incident and I pointed out that GSOC, the independent authority established by an Act of the Oireachtas should be allowed to complete its investigation unhindered.
In the meantime, I am considering how the issues around systems, processes and procedures that have been identified in this case, can be best reviewed so that lessons can be learned and that tragedies such as that which befell this family are avoided, to the greatest extent possible, in the future.
