Elizabeth Plunkett cold case review
Deputy Bacik raised the RTÉ Stolen Sister podcast and the Plunkett family's long search for answers about Elizabeth Plunkett's murder. She asked for a cold case review and legislative change; the Taoiseach said the Minister for Justice would deal directly with the Deputy and family.
This question is for both the Taoiseach and the Minister for justice. It relates to the new RTÉ "Doc on One" series, Stolen Sister.
Comment on this
There is a new documentary podcast on RTÉ, which tells a very serious story about 23-year-old Elizabeth Plunkett from Ringsend who was murdered in 1976. She was a victim of Ireland's first serial killers, John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans, who acted in concert and also killed a second woman, Mary Duffy. Evans died in prison. Shaw was convicted of Mary Duffy's murder but was never convicted of Elizabeth's murder. Elizabeth's sisters, Kathleen and Bernadette, whom I know well, who I know have been in touch with the justice Minister have been seeking answers for years. They are not legally regarded as victims within the Parole Board process. This only came to light in 2023. The justice Minister is aware of this. An inquest was delayed for 50 years. I raised this issue in the Dáil last year. The inquest was finally held in January. I am glad about that. However, their solicitor, who wrote a follow-up letter to the justice Minister, the Garda Commissioner and others on 28 May has not yet received a response.
Comment on this
The family in particular seek a cold case review by the Garda and legislative reform-----
Comment on this
-----to address the anomaly in the Parole Board Act.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising this very serious and sensitive issue for the family concerned. I will ask the Minister for justice to deal directly with Deputy Bacik and with the family as well in respect of endeavouring to bring closure to this for all concerned and a resolution of the issues outstanding.