Minister Flanagan publishes interim report of the Scoping Exercise into the death of Shane O’Farrell

Judge Gerard Haughton has provided the Minister for Justice and Equality with the interim report of his scoping exercise related to the tragic death of Shane O’Farrell. Shane O’Farrell was tragically killed in August 2011 while cycling on the N2 near Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan by a driver, Mr Zigimantas Gridziuska, who had many previous convictions and who at the time of the collision was on bail.

Judge Haughton’s interim report sets out the background of the events that led to the scoping exercise. He describes the timeline from the death of Shane O’Farrell; the criminal prosecution of Mr Gridziuska and its outcome; the coroner’s inquest into Mr O’Farrell’s death; Ms Lucia O’Farrell’s successful campaign leading to the introduction of s 17 of the Road Traffic Act 2014; the Independent Review Mechanism’s (‘IRM’) review; and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission’s (‘GSOC’) investigation and report.

Judge Haughton states in his interim report that he anticipates being able to conclude his exercise within the next six months. The Minister has assured Judge Haughton of any assistance he needs to ensure that he can complete his work within this timeframe and looks forward to receiving his report as soon as possible.

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Note for Editors

The interim report can be read online here.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

SCOPING EXERCISE IN RELATION TO THE DEATH OF SHANE O'FARRELL

In light of the public controversy surrounding the circumstances of the death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell on the 2nd August 2011 and having regard to the motion passed by Dáil Éireann on 14th June 2018 and Seanad Éireann on 13th February 2019, calling for the establishment of a public inquiry into the matter;

Taking into account:

the outcome or reports of investigations or inquiries that have already taken place related to the death of Mr. O'Farrell, including the reports of the investigations carried out by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and the outcome of the Independent Review mechanism
any changes that have been made to the information sharing systems or procedures operating between An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service and other relevant state bodies, in so far as they are relevant to dealing with persons subject to bench warrants or conditions attaching to the granting of bail and suspended sentences, since the death of Mr. O'Farrell

To advise the Minister for Justice and Equality:

whether there are any circumstances surrounding the death of Mr O'Farrell which warrant further investigation or inquiry beyond those already carried out
whether any inquiry is necessary into the systems and procedures for the sharing of information between An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service and other relevant State bodies operating at the time of Shane O'Farrell's death
the form of any such investigation or inquiry
its terms of reference
the suggested composition of the investigation or inquiry

To report to the Minister for Justice and Equality within 8 weeks of commencement with an interim report indicating, inter alia, the expected timeframe for completion of the scoping exercise.

Minister Flanagan publishes interim report of the Scoping Exercise into the death of Shane O’Farrell

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