gemmastory

[Gemma O’Doherty’s investigation into the death of Fr Niall Molloy for the Irish Independent in 2010]

In December last year, Justice Minister Alan Shatter appointed barrister Dominic McGinn, SC, to examine how gardaí in the Garda Serious Crime Unit investigated the 1985 murder of Fr Niall Molloy in a house near Clara, Co. Offaly.

The Garda Serious Crime Review Team’s investigation – led by Detective Inspector Christy Mangan – was launched due to the work carried out by former Irish Independent journalist Gemma O’Doherty.

Following the Garda Serious Crime Review, the DPP determined in August last year that no further prosecutions should be made.

On Tuesday, Sinn Féin TD Gerry Adams asked Minister Shatter if Gemma O’Doherty will be interviewed by Mr McGinn in relation to his report.

Minister Shatter, in a roundabout way, said no.

He said:

As I have previously informed the House, Mr. Dominic McGinn, Senior Counsel, is at present carrying out an independent examination of the report of the Serious Crime Review Team relating to the Garda investigation into the death of Fr. Niall Molloy.

This independent examination will, in accordance with the terms of reference, comprise two main elements—
1. Counsel will examine what is a very detailed report that, for legal reasons, cannot be put into the public domain in its current form, and will prepare a report which can be put into the public domain on any issues of public interest which may arise from the report, and
2. Counsel will identify matters, if any, of significant public interest or concern that would warrant examination by a further inquiry and in respect of which such further inquiry would have a reasonable prospect of establishing the truth.

Accordingly, Mr. McGinn’s terms of reference involve an examination of the Garda Serious Crime Review Team’s report and not a new investigation or evidence gathering exercise. The Serious Crime Team report deals comprehensively with the issues of concern raised by the family and others as requiring further inquiry, including arising from detailed statements made to the Team by a representative of the family and the journalist referred to.

Mr. McGinn will be aware of these issues from his examination of the report and associated statements. A liaison officer has been appointed by An Garda Síochána to assist with any requests for clarification.

As I have previously stated, my priority is to allow the Senior Counsel to carry out the examination so that the maximum amount of information can be put into the public domain at the earliest possible date, at which point I will also of course fully consider the outcome of the examination concerning any further inquiry. While Mr. McGinn’s terms of reference require that he complete this examination as soon as possible, it is not possible to provide a precise timescale in this regard. I expect, however, that his work is well advanced at this point.

Transcript via Kildarestreet.com

hoganwater
[Environment Minister Phil Hogan, of Fine Gael]

Further to Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s announcement in the Dáil yesterday that the average cost per household in relation to Irish Water will be €240 a year,…

The Irish Examiner reports:

“[This figure] was not signed off by Labour who said they did not get the memo proposing these costs until late on Tuesday night — with little time to examine the complex document before yesterday’s morning cabinet meeting.”

“Yet they believe Fine Gael expected them to sign off on the memo yesterday in an effort to “railroad” the planned costs and charging method without adequate discussion. “We feel we’ve not been treated well by our partners. The two issues are adequate metering and affordability. It [Cabinet] was a heated discussion,” said a senior Labour source.”

Kenny sparks Labour fury over push on water charges (Irish Examiner)

Previously: Thicker Than Uisce

hook

Hookie.

He’s fallen out of love with a piece of technology.

“The main story in sport is not TV3 winning the World Cup, because it was a bid, they bid more than than the other guys, it was a simple bid, right. However, the decision of the GAA to sell the rights to SKY is far more dramatic – for the future of Gaelic Games in this country.
It’s not actually about paying for the matches – it is that it will mean an inexorable drive now to professionalism in Gaelic Football and Hurling. That means that Gaelic Football will eventually become – and Hurling will become the province of about 150 players who will be highly paid, then the whole idea of Gaelic Games – the parish and all that will be gone – a bit like rugby – gone.”

Rugby pundit and former Sky shill George Hook on TV3’s Tonight with Vincent Browne last night.

Any excuse

Previously: Sly Sports

rosaleen
[Rosaleen McDonagh, a Traveller and playwright from Sligo]

A judge describing Travellers as “Neanderthal men abiding by the laws of the jungle”; politicians suggesting Travellers could be sent to Spike Island to live in isolation, away from settled people; schools refusing enrolment; and racial profiling of infants – these are all examples of everyday racism. Travellers don’t have to be involved in feuding to be stopped, picked up or questioned by gardaí. Racism is seen as a valid way of the State controlling and punishing the collective by not implementing policies.

Suicide rates in the community are six times than the average for the settled community. And seven times higher for men. The unemployment rate among Travellers is 84 per cent. Endemic racism, poverty, isolation, alienation and lack of opportunity relate to a much larger picture of internalised oppression and systemic discrimination. The low expectations of Travellers as citizens – police do not always protect us – mark our community as beyond the protection of the State.

Traveller feuding is neither sport nor entertainment (Rosaleen McDonagh, Irish Times)

Pic: Kaite O’Reilly

Spire-2

The Spire.

By Annie West, who sez:

“I get the idea when I do the morning walk. Always. Has to be a circuitous walk. I don’t have anything as formal as a sketchbook, that’s far too organised for me. So I scribble on the back of an envelope. Bring the envelope home, scan it, do it again, then again, then sit down with my pencil and my vast array of lovely Dr. Martin’s inks and get to it. I tweet while I wait for layers of ink to dry…”

This week’s Le Cool Dublin issue

Annie West

Broadsheet.ie