29/01/2013WRY02300575. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Serious Crime Review Team has finalised their enquiries into the case of the death of Fr. Niall Molloy; if an Garda Síochána has submitted a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4237/13]
29/01/2013WRY02400Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): I propose to take Questions Nos. 557, 574 and 575 together.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the examination surrounding the circumstances of the death of Father Niall Molloy is ongoing. The Commissioner has assured me that each and every line of inquiry is being or will be pursued. Upon receipt of a final report from the Com- missioner I will review the situation. I understand that the officers carrying out the examina- tion are continuing to keep the family members of the deceased updated on progress. While I fully appreciate the concerns of the family, in any case where criminal behaviour is suspected it is only through a Garda investigation, and where evidence of criminal wrongdoing is avail- able through the submission of a file by the Gardaí to the Director of Public Prosecutions, that persons can be brought fully to account. Therefore, I hope that the Deputies will agree that, in the first instance, we need to allow the present Garda examination to proceed to its conclusion.