Friday, November 04, 2016

The Taoiseach has said he is not ruling out a public inquiry into the death of a 23-year-old cyclist killed in a hit-and-run five years ago.

It follows a meeting earlier today between Enda Kenny and the family of Shane O’Farrell, who was killed on August 2, 2011 near Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.

The driver of the car, Lithuanian man Zigimantas Gridzuiska, had already been convicted of dangerous driving.

He was later given an eight-month jail sentence, suspended on condition that he leave the country.

The O’Farrell family has already made several complaints to the Garda Ombudsman alleging multiple garda failures in the handling of the case.

In a statement this evening, the Taoiseach said he had recieved a “powerful presentation” from the O’Farrells highlighting issues which he said warrant further consideration.

Enda Kenny said he would first like to read the GSOC investigation into aspects of the case, which is understood to be near completion.

He added: “I informed the O’Farrell family today that I am asking the Attorney General to request the Law Reform Commission President Mr Justice John Quirke to examine how we can reform the law to provide enhanced public understanding for significant decisions made whilst fully preserving the independence of the Director of Public Prosecutions. This has been done in other countries.”

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