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Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021

Thursday, 8 July 2021

Ceisteanna (128)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

128. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on progress made by the scoping inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36699/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I recognise the ongoing pain of the O'Farrell family on the tragic loss of their son and deeply sympathise with their loss.

As the Deputy will be aware, a highly respected retired Judge, Gerard Haughton, has been conducting a scoping exercise into the tragic circumstances surrounding Shane O'Farrell's death.

The purpose of this exercise is to advise as to whether any further investigation or inquiry beyond those already carried out is necessary and if so to advise on the form of such investigation or inquiry and its terms of reference.

Judge Haughton furnished an interim report to the then Minister for Justice in November 2019. In his interim report, the Judge stated that he would not restrict or limit Shane's family in their submissions to him or the nature and extent of the documentation they wished to furnish to him in his scoping exercise.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Judge is completely independent in conducting this scoping exercise. It is not open to me as Minister to comment on any aspect of the Judge's work or the process of compiling the final report. My Department maintains regular contact with the Judge and has assured him that any assistance he requires to complete his final report will be made available.

While I genuinely regret that this process has taken significantly longer than any of us would like, I am also aware that the Judge is doing all that he can to ensure that the concerns which the family have raised with him during the process are followed through to the greatest extent possible. I understand that Judge Haughton has been in contact with the O’Farrell family throughout his scoping exercise.

Judge Haughton has written to my Department this week indicating that there are some minor matters to be addressed in relation to one aspect of the inquiry. Once those matters have been addressed, he intends to seek comments and/or corrections on that aspect of the draft report from interested parties, including the O’Farrell family. Following receipt of responses from these parties, Judge Haughton will be in a position to finalise his report. My Department will continue to provide all necessary assistance to Judge Haughton, and I look forward to receiving his final report in due course and to updating the House in this matter.

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