Ten Years On – A Full Public inquiry into death of Shane O’Farrell is required – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin TD for Cavan Monaghan, Matt Carthy, has said that it is imperative that the government begin preparations for a full independent public inquiry into the death of Shane O’Farrell, the actions of all relevant state bodies in response to his death and their respective roles in advance of and following his killing.
Deputy Carthy was speaking after a full decade had passed since the untimely and avoidable death of Shane. He said that the family’s case for a full independent public inquiry has strengthened with each passing month and year.
Shane O’Farrell, a young 23 year old Carrickmacross man, was killed in a hit and run on 2nd August 2011, by Zigimantas Gridziuska, a known criminal who had breached his bail conditions at the time and had 42 previous convictions in three different jurisdictions.
Speaking this week, Matt Carthy said:
“It is ten years since Shane O’Farrell lost his life. The man responsible for his death should have been in prison at the time. Shane’s family have never had a proper opportunity to grieve for their son because they have spent every available minute doing the job of the state by investigating the circumstances that led to that awful moment in their lives.
“Despite a Dáil resolution that there should be a full independent public enquiry into the issues that have been raised by the O’Farrell family, the government have sought to delay and frustrate this at every step.
“A scoping inquiry was announced in early 2019 but we still do not have a final report. It followed a lengthy GSOC investigation.
“It is an ongoing scandal that his family have been fighting every day since his tragic and avoidable death for truth and answers. They have encountered barriers every step of the way. These barriers have been presented by the agencies of the state that are charged with protecting citizens and delivering justice.
“There is now a Justice Minister in place from Shane’s constituency. She should now start preparing for an independent inquiry. The Dáil, by majority resolution, called for such an inquiry in June 2018.
“Anyone who has acquired a knowledge of this case will readily accept that the litany of failures on the part of the State in this case can only be adequately addressed through a full independent inquiry.
“The O’Farrell family have raised several serious concerns regarding the handling of this case by an Garda Síochána, by the prosecuting solicitor and barrister, by the DPP and by the courts services.
“These questions are so numerous and raise matters of such significance and concern that, in my view, there must now be a public inquiry that examines each of these concerns and addresses the matters raised so that measures can be put in place so that no other family is failed to the extent that the O’Farrell’s have been.
“Only a full independent inquiry can have any hope of delivering the answers to the questions to which the O’Farrell family deserve.
“Ten years on – there should be no further delays”.
ENDS
