Shane O'Farrell case inquiry
Senator Norris raises the long-running case of Shane O'Farrell, welcoming the appointment of Judge Haughton but insisting the family needs an independent inquiry. He says he will keep pressing the issue.
I rise once more to raise the question of the unlawful killing of Mr. Shane O'Farrell by an eastern European drug addict driving an uninsured car.
Comment on this
Yes, I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his assistance. That is the point I was going to make. This matter has been ongoing for seven and a half years and during almost all of that time I have been raising it consistently in the House. It is a very long time but the Minister has just announced the appointment of Judge Gerard Haughton to conduct a scoping exercise into matters surrounding this case. The O'Farrell family is extremely unhappy about this because the matter has been ongoing for seven and a half years. The family has been consistently pushing and pushing and at last, seemed to be getting somewhere. The Dáil passed a resolution which is the same as the resolution on today's Order Paper, which is in my name. It gives the full details of the case and calls for an independent inquiry. I ask the Leader to provide time for a discussion on this situation-----
Comment on this
No, not today. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach again for his assistance. I will be pushing the matter tomorrow if I do not get a positive response today. Fianna Fáil proposed this in the Lower House. I have had some discussions with the Fianna Fáil Senators and am hoping they will support me in pushing this through and making sure that we have an independent inquiry. In the statement issued by the Government, it lists all of the different inquiries that have taken place. It is a long list. The statement goes on to say that the Government expects Judge Haughton to provide the Government with an interim report within eight weeks of commencement. That sounds to me very much like long-fingering. This has gone on for seven and a half years, during which time justice has been denied to the grieving family of Shane O'Farrell. This matter was first raised by me in the House almost seven and a half years ago. We must have this matter discussed and must pass a resolution calling for an independent inquiry.