Why no public inquiry on Omeath murder? Adams

Louth TD Gerry Adams TD has ‘strongly criticised’ the decision not to hold a public inquiry into the murder of Garda Tony Golden, the shooting of Siobhán Phillips, and the suicide of Crevan Mackin in Omeath in October 2015.

Deputy Adams raised with the Taoiseach correspondence sent to Mr. Kenny’s office over the last 18 months, and serious allegations made in a recent RTÉ Primetime programme about the events of October 2015 and called for the establishment of a public inquiry as demanded by the family of Siobhán Phillips.

Speaking following the exchange in the Dáil, Gerry Adams TD said; ‘ There are serious questions that must be answered. It is alleged that Crevan Mackin was acting as a Garda agent after agreeing to a deal to avoid firearms offences and that some members of An Garda Síochána knew that he had access to weapons when he was released on bail.’

He added: ‘ The best way of getting to the truth is for the Taoiseach to establish a public inquiry as has been called for by the family of Siobhán Phillips. It is important that any investigative process initiated allows for criminal charges should that need arise. The GSOC investigation will not allow for this. The Taoiseach, the Minister for Justice, and the Garda Commissioner have had the pertinent information regarding these allegations for a year and a half.

“The Taoiseach cited the investigation that has now been initiated by GSOC. While I welcome the establishment of the GSOC investigations, I have major concerns that its designation as a ‘section 95’ investigation may not allow for all of the issues to be examined properly. Section 95 investigations only allow for disciplinary action to be taken against Gardaí. That is not acceptable given the weight of allegations in this case.’