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Inquiries into Garda Activities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 November 2020

Wednesday, 4 November 2020

Ceisteanna (103, 104, 105, 106)

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

103. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if an end date can be provided to persons (details supplied). [33954/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

104. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if an enquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) is continuing during lockdown [33955/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

105. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice the number of extensions of the end date made to an inquiry (details supplied); the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33956/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

106. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if she will meet a family in relation to the death of a person (details supplied); and the inquiry into their death; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33957/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 to 106, inclusive, together.

I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the family of Shane Tuohy and I am very conscious of the hurt and pain caused to them by the loss of Shane.

In May 2017, Judge Donagh McDonagh was appointed by the then Minister to undertake an Inquiry into the conduct and adequacy of the investigations conducted by An Garda Síochána into the death of Mr Tuohy in February 2002 in Clara, County Offaly.

This was one of five Inquiries established by the Minister at that time following a recommendation from the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM). While the original timeframe for this work was six months, it was not possible for the Judge to conclude the Inquiry in that time. In light of this, specific extensions have been granted to the Judge, as outlined below, with the most recent granted by my predecessor as Minister on 16 June 2020 until 31 December 2020.

Date of Minister’s Decision

Extension Granted

16/06/2020

Extension granted until 31/12/2020

04/10/2019

Extension granted until 30/06/2020

27/06/2019

Extension granted until 31/12/2019

28/01/2019

Extension granted until 30/06/2019

03/07/2018

Extension granted until 31/12/2018

23/01/2018

Extension granted until 30/06/2018

November 2017

The then Minister extended the deadline for submission of the final report without specifying a revised date and asked for an updated report in order to determine a revised date.

I am informed that Judge McDonagh continues to work on the Inquiry though I understand that the COVID pandemic has delayed his work, in that the Judge has been unable to hold any further interviews for the time being.

I hope to be able to receive the report from Judge McDonagh as soon as he has completed his work.

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