Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
FIANNA FÁIL IS tonight calling on the government to establish a Commission of Investigation into the death of cyclist Shane O’Farrell.
However, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has said that the government will not be supporting the motion.
On the evening of 2 August 2011, O’Farrell was cycling home when he was struck by a car driven by Zigimantas Gradzuiska. The Lithuanian national had previous convictions for offences including aggravated burglary, road traffic offences and handling stolen property.
Two weeks before the collision, Gradzuiska was arrested in Newry for three counts of theft.
The day he struck the 23-year-old with his car, Gradzuiska was on bail from courts in both Monaghan and Cavan and on a peace bond from Louth Circuit Court.
Gridziuska did not remain at the scene of the collision, but was arrested later that day. He was handed an eight-month sentence for dangerous driving causing death in February 2013, but it was suspended on the basis that he would leave the country within 21 days.
For seven years, the O’Farrell family has been asking how Gradzuiska, a repeat offender who was on bail from multiple courts, was at liberty on the day Shane was killed. They also want to know why he did not serve jail time for the incident, and was instead given the option of leaving the country.
A new report conducted by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has found there to be no illegal activity or breach of procedures by gardaí in relation to the investigation.
Speaking to reporters today, O’Callaghan said the GSOC report is “inadequate”.
“We got a report – a semi-report – in 2018. It has taken six years for us to get part of the answer from GSOC, but we still haven’t got answers in respect of the central issue.
“I’m hoping the government will recognise there’s an inevitability to there being a proper investigation in respect of this,” said O’Callaghan.
O’Farrell family in the Dáil
With the O’Farrell family in the public Dáil gallery this evening, a number of opposition TDs appealed to the Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan to launch an inquiry.
However, the government did not support tonight’s motion, and instead tabled a counter-motion.
The counter-motion reasserts the position taken by the government that a decision to establish a statutory inquiry, as proposed by the Fianna Fáil, should await the conclusion of all GSOC investigations.
While the criminal investigation by GSOC has now concluded, a follow-up investigation is under way to determine if breaches of discipline occurred.
That investigation may result in a recommendation for disciplinary action against one or more gardaí. It is understood that the justice minister expects any disciplinary investigation to be completed without delay.
“It is clear that there are a number of troubling matters surrounding the circumstances leading up to the road traffic incident in which Shane O’Farrell’s life was cut tragically short. The GSOC report clearly identifies those matters. They were, in fact, failures. Let’s call them what they are: failures,” said the minister this evening.
‘Very thorough’ investigation
He said GSOC has spent six years investigating the allegations made in relation to this case. Flanagan defended the GSOC investigation, calling it a “very thorough” investigation.
“In its first report, GSOC did not identify any criminal offence by any Garda but it did identify a number of matters which require further investigation. An investigation has now commenced and I expect a further report in due course when GSOC completes its investigation into disciplinary matters. That report may lead to the Garda Commissioner instituting disciplinary proceedings,” added Flanagan.
GSOC is an independent statutory agency with an important role in the State, said the minister, who asked opposition TDs who called the report a “farce” and “useless” to withdraw their remarks.
He said politicians stating they do not have confidence in GSOC is “unacceptable”.
The minister said he is working to hire additional staff to GSOC, adding that he is looking at ways to strengthen GSOC’s powers.
I am committed to ensuring that GSOC has the resources it needs to carry out its functions effectively and efficiently.
To suggest that they would participate in a cover up or a whitewash is deplorable and should be withdrawn.
Future inquiry not ruled out
The minister said he is open-minded about the prospect of a further inquiry in this case. This is something Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has also stated.
“What I will commit to, as I have done in the past, is that when GSOC has completed its work, I will consider the question of a further inquiry and I would be happy to consult with the opposition at that stage,” said Flanagan, adding:
Although I fully understand that Mrs O’Farrell and her family would wish their questions to have been answered sooner, their serious nature required a careful and painstaking investigation by GSOC and it remains the case that the GSOC disciplinary must be completed before further action may be taken.
The commitment previously given to the O’Farrell family that once the GSOC investigation is completed, the question as to whether there remain issues that require further investigation will be fully considered. I reiterate that commitment here.
At first I thought who would bother making two trips to the airport! But if you live near the airport and drive your bags the night before,you may be more likely to take public transport the next morning instead of a taxi saving some cash. Or also avoiding extras in a taxi. Not for everyone, but helpful for some.
I’ve just read through it in full and it’s only for those travelling from 6am and 8am the following morning. It’s an odd one, I guess it’s to ease the queues in the morning when they are their peak but I can’t really see it being any kind of game changer for them.
Imagine the stress alleviated for families and large groups being able to dump the bags the night before. Well played Aer Lingus.
Nice to see them thinking outside the box. Saw a great idea in Hong Kong, you could check into your flight and check your bags in at the metro station , thought it was a brilliant idea.
Now all we have to do is build a Metro.
That actually used to be more common. Until the late 90s, you could check in for a flight from Gatwick at Victoria Station. Security concerns saw that kind of service rapidly withdrawn.
The service in Hong Kong is handy though. I was able to give them my bags at 11am for a flight that was close to midnight.
You can do the same at British Airways desk at Victoria train station London for years now…
Swiss also offer the same service from mainline stations anywhere in Switzerland. So much more relaxing
Cracking idea!
Great idea, especially as you could do it for elderly parents or for families with a lot of young kids. One less thing to worry about on the day.
Not sure I’d trust that my bags were on the same flight as me the next morning though!!
I hate standing at the baggage belt after arriving wondering will my bag appear!
Great idea… Kudos to Aer Lingus, super handy to drop the bag, stay at an airport hotel and not have to lug it down semi-conscious in the morning. It’s great I can pre-order lunch for the flight now too. Sure it saves them costs and helps customers.
Good idea if you spend the night close to airport and don’t have to travel from too far away
Driving to the airport TWICE to save hassle ????
Is it April 1st.?
My thoughts exactly Magoo…………
People who live outside Dublin often stay at airport hotels the night before if they have an early flight. That means just a short walk to the terminal and an easier morning the day after.
Wouldn’t work for me because I the amount if crap I forget and have to put in last minute
Thinking ourside the box!
Yeah, fantastic idea. It’ll save so much hassle.
Pretty good idea. But what about the toiletries that you need that would be packed? I’d need every single thing in that bag :-)
Yea, but I need loads to keep me at least presentable lol
The world’s favourite budget airline will soon follow suit with a mandatory 24 hour advance baggage check-in, or a large fee per bag to check in any later than that.
Ba dom Cha!
…. FAIL
That idea is absolutely spiffing. Be great to just saunter into the airport and head straight for the duty free bypassing the queues
If only one person brings the bags to the airport for the check-in, surely they can’t honestly answer the baggage security questions?
I don’t see the value of this to be honest. Schelp to the airport the night before and then schlep back the following morning to get the flight?
Great if you’ve to stay in an airport hotel the night before or leaving car in long-term parking. 45 mins of extra rest rather than stress of morning departures.
Hats off to aer fungus, leading the way :)
True it would be a hassle.. They should offer curbside check in, paying to park and finding a space would be a hassle.
Do not see the benefit..
Fine if you live at the airport..
Why in gods name would you want to drive twice to the airport.
I would guess The thinking behind this is not about the consumer.
It takes me 10 mins max to get to Cork airport, it’s a handy service for some obviously but not all.
I’d like to think the marketing people at Dublin airport hotel had a hand in coming up with this idea… kudos if they did!
Used this two weeks ago and it worked really well and there was no extra charge for it
Nice idea, hope they are charging nothing for this? Great especially when going on holiday with flights very early that dreaded two hour rule just to spend it on blooming queues. Hope it takes off with all air lines:-)
How about proper self-service check in facilities.
Hong Kong airport has a very convenient city centre check in desk. No need to drag your bags all the way to the airport.
This is so poorly thought out.
Location: If it’s only for Dublin airport then it’s not like it’s easy to just call by and drop off your bags.
If you live nearby you will either need to live on the very few domestic bus routes that go near the airport or you will need to drive. If you do drive, you will obviously be forced into parking in the DAA’s rip-off car park. You won’t be allowed to use the set-down lane and you’re not going to use the independent Quickpark just to drop off some bags. It may not be the reason, but I’m sure best buds Aer Lingus & the DAA considered the extra revenue they would get from parking fees.
For visitors, it’s too far out with sh*t transport, and our taxis are more expensive than many other European destinations. It would could work in other more central airports though.
Timing: Only for flights 6am-8am? Why would you get rid of your bag the evening before you go to bed, then have a shower and put on a new change of clothes the next morning? You’d want to be bringing another small suitcase with you. So this narrows it down to people carrying two or more bags.
And to be honest, the majority of people I see when I go through at that time are going for short-haul trips (a lot of day trippers) and I don’t see much luggage being checked in anyway. The more holiday type flights where you would really need a big suitcase seem to go later.
If they let you drop your bag off in the morning for evening flights, it would be more popular because you’d already be dressed for the day and wouldn’t need as much of your stuff. You could do whatever you wanted without being weighed down. But people already use hotel luggage facilities, so if you’re a visitor, you’re going to be a lot closer to the hotel you just woke up in than a crappy airport in the sticks. Going out there and back to Dublin to do some sightseeing would be pointless.
I just don’t see what’s in it for them, let alone the passengers, apart from parking fees. Maybe it’s just to redeploy check-in staff somewhere else during the busy morning period. Which is understandable, but let’s not act like Aer Lingus are doing us a favour.
I’m sure that this would be a great service for families or people lots of luggage, both of which are a thorn in the side of us single, one bagged passengers! It may not be convenient for all passengers to do it but it would benefit everyone!Reduce queue time and less likelihood of screaming children in the queue at that hour of the morning! I won’t complain!
Used this two weeks ago and it worked out really well and there was no charge for it
Good idea.Saves stress.
The only benefit I could see in this is for transatlantic passengers (passengers flying transatlantic are more likely to have lots of luggage) and transatlantic passengers also have the extra headache of having to do US immigration as well as security, but since Aer Lingus’ first transatlantic flight isn’t until 10:45am and this is only valid for passengers travelling between 6-8am, I can’t see much use in it to be honest!
Personally I believe the biggest headache at airports for families is security, rather than luggage check in. More than likely you’re going to have to cue up at the airline desk to get boarding cards and resolve seat assignment issues(luggage or no luggage)
Yes it would be a great idea we used it in Canada and it takes away all the pressure on travel day especially if you are travelling with children
Jaysus dearg doom, it may suit some people, even if its only a few and if it does no harm done and fair play, hardly think the extra few euro for parking from the limited number of people availing of the service is a major concern for either parties! Most airport hotels have free shuttles for guests so it wouldn’t cost them a penny to take it up and back to the airport and as many people said, if you’re travelling with kids it’d be a great help. You’d swear there was a charge for it or you had to do it! Chill out my friend….
People travelling with Aer Lingus in Europe should be aware that if you pay for a second check-through bag, you don’t get any extra weight allowance. Pay €15 for 1 bag – get 20kg, pay additional €15 for second bag – no additional weight allowance. i.e. You can have two bags, but between them you can only have 20kg.
This isn’t very clear at all when booking… if the cumulative weight is more than 20kg, the weight of the second bag is charged as “Excess Baggage Fees” (despite the fact that you’ve already paid for a second bag…..). The Excess Baggage charge is €15 per kg!!! :O
This is a really non-sensical and unfair policy to begin with, but the fact that people don’t know about it means you can get very, very stung at the check-in desk!
Travel all the way to our airport that has no underground or rail link twice in two days!! I don’t think so thanks.
Schlep….. I love it!
Why only dublin. What bout cork and shannon!!!!!!!!!
Crown Plaza Hotel Singapore do this. Go downstairs and check your bags in. Go back upstairs and watch TV from the bath in your room until gate opens. Get out of bath, put on clothes, go through efficient security and board flight. Sweetness.
Great idea… How much extra does this cost?
Yes…I am sure they would charge you fot that sadly…
I think it’s a great idea you could park in the set down area in the departures one stay in the car the other person bring the bags in and checks in and you don’t have all that hassle next morning it’s a winner for my family
I think this is a great idea! For motorbike users, it’s great to be able to use public transport at sociable hours to drop off luggage, and then get the full benefit of driving a motorbike in early morning traffic to the airport without worrying about luggage.
Although the return journey… Hmm
Brilliant idea
they have lost my luggage twice so i would not be trusting them to do it,, if they cant get in on plane same few hours i have checked in ,, god only knows where it could end up over nite,, that’s a no from me,,,
have your say