Full enquiry into Shane O’Farrell death demanded

The announcement by the Government that it is to support a Judge-led scoping inquiry into the death of Shane O’Farrell has been soundly criticised as “simply delaying the inevitable”.

Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy made the comments while reiterating his view a full public inquiry is required to examine the actions of all relevant State bodies in response to as well as their respective roles in advance of, and following, the Monaghan man's death.

Shane O’Farrell (23) UCD student was killed following a hit and run incident on August 2, 2011 while cycling near his home. The driver of the car was Zigimantas Gridziuska, who had breached his bail conditions at the time, and had 42 previous convictions in three different jurisdictions.

Mr O'Farrell's family has long called for a full public inquiry into their his death, and last year a vote was passed in the Dáil by a majority of two-to-one majority vote for a public inquiry.

But Minister Charlie Flanagan announced on Tuesday evening that District Court Judge Gerard Haughton had been appointed to review the investigations that had already taken place.

The judge will also review changes in the law and determine if there are any remaining unanswered questions that should be the subject of further inquiry.

The judge is expected to report back to the minister within eight weeks.
MEP Carthy said following Minister Flanagan's announcement: “Shane O’Farrell’s family have been calling for an independent inquiry for several years. The Dáil, by majority resolution, called for such an inquiry in a vote last June.
“While any movement towards this end is welcome, it is extremely disappointing that the Justice Minister will not accede to this request. The announcement by government of a scoping by Judge Gerard Haughton is, I believe, simply delaying the inevitable.
“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.”

He said too that the O’Farrell family have raised several “serious concerns” regarding the handling of this case by a range of parties including State agencies.
“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.
“Whatever Judge Haughton’s scoping exercise findings, the fact is that only a full independent inquiry can have any hope of delivering the answers to the questions to which the O’Farrell family deserve. There should be no further delays,” he added.