Donegal policing and hospital capital plan
Senator Mac Lochlainn described what he said was a serious policing failure in Donegal involving drug dealing and an assault on a pensioner, prompting cautions from the Chair about identification and sub judice issues. Senator Lawlor then sought a debate on the HSE capital plan, especially the Naas General Hospital endoscopic unit.
I must admonish the Senator. Sometimes by mentioning particular areas and particular incidents a person can be identified. As far as I know, this man has not been convicted of anything so the Senator must be very careful. This could work in his favour in a court of law.
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-----that I have seen incontrovertible video evidence. I accept the guidance of the Cathaoirleach. I will wrap up. I thought long and hard before I decided to read this into the record. The whole community in the area in question is asking why this criminal thug, who violently assaulted a pensioner, has not been arrested. The pensioner in question was taken to a Garda station yesterday. His family took him to the station where gardaí were too busy to take a statement. We are now 72 hours on from this incident. The victim has not been questioned and nobody has been arrested. People in this development are living in terror. They have acted in good faith until now. They have put their trust in the Garda and, at times, it has had their back. This Chamber has to be a place where we can speak truth and say what is happening in our communities and on our streets. I took this opportunity with great reluctance. I thought long and hard. I will present this transcript to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. I will ask him and the Minister for Justice and Equality to urgently review the handling of this case from last Sunday until now and to speak to the family in question and the residents of the development about their experiences. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his patience and for this opportunity.
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We should always remember that this Chamber is not a court of law. We have to tread warily on matters that are sub judice and which have not yet been dealt with.
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Could we have a debate on the HSE's capital plan? We would like an outline of the projects included within it and the timeframes for completing them. I refer in particular to a project at Naas General Hospital, which is in my local area. The hospital has been seeking an endoscopic unit. The project is part of the plan but we would like details on when it will commence. Could we have a debate with the Minister on the HSE capital development plan?