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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Terence Wheelock inquiry

Summary

Deputy Gannon raised the anniversary march for Terence Wheelock and asked for a further inquiry into his death. The Tánaiste offered condolences and said he would ask the Justice Minister to reply on the specific request.

Last Saturday, on the 16th anniversary of the events that led to his death, I once again marched alongside the family of Terence Wheelock and the community of the north inner city. We met peacefully and in a socially distanced way at the Garden of Remembrance and walked to Store Street Garda station. I was there not only to support a family I have known since I was a child, although that certainly was one of the reasons, and in recognition of the collective trauma that still exists in the north inner city arising out of the events that led to Terence's death 16 years ago, I was also there because, as a public representative, a Member of this House and a person who grew up in the community, I want to highlight the many questions that remain about his death. The Tánaiste will probably tell me that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, carried out an investigation into the death more than ten years ago, and I accept that. What is the purpose of an investigation, however, when so many questions remain? I am asking again for a new inquiry, preferably a full, independent inquiry, into the death of Terence Wheelock. I will continue asking for it until the truth is established. In the absence of that, we cannot have healing in the north inner city.

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Leo Varadkar The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I take this opportunity to extend my condolences to Terence Wheelock's family and friends, who, I know, are still grieving and still have a lot of questions they would like answered. As the Deputy said, a GSOC investigation was carried out into his death. I am not sure whether an inquest took place. I certainly will ask the Minister for Justice to reply to the Deputy about his specific request for a further inquiry.

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