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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.
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This crowd caused major traffic disruption in city this afternoon. The bus to Wexford was over 50 minutes behind schedule on the journey to Wexford.
@VIncent McGloughlin: There’s a bigger picture to be more concerned about, Vincent
@JusticeForJoe: inconveniencing ordinary people, most of whom try their best to be as Green as possible, is not the answer.
Either tip over Leo Varadkar’s State car or stay at home
@milton friedman: Do you honestly believe most people try to be green as possible? Inconveniencing people raises awareness, how many people would notice if it happened in a field in Donegal? If Governments and major Corporations did their bit then you wouldn’t be inconvenienced, instead of getting the message you’re attacking the messenger. Governments and major Corporations won’t change their behaviours unless they are made to change.
@milton friedman: So what is? Omelettes and eggs, milton. Compare the inconvenience of a delayed commute now to the inconvenience for your kids when there’s not so much of a world left for them to raise THEIR kids in
@milton friedman:
So criminal damage instead of concerted protest?
Sheez dude. Call in sick and join us
@JusticeForJoe: the purpose of extinction rebellion is to compel governments to take action on climate change.
So I’m telling them to up the ante on the government, not average Joe. Not protracted protests that most likely won’t work.
@milton friedman: Sorry, I actually missed the funny bit about Leo’s car. Haha. Yeah but it has to be kept legal and you can’t be seen to be “victimising” or “intimidating” poor innocent politicians who are just trying to earn an honest shilling. Remember Joan in the car?
@Trevor J Coonan: it was more of a joke, but the London protests don’t seem to be obeying the law based on the arrest numbers. If ours is the same movement then how long before it’s not criminal?
@milton friedman: Seriously, man. You’re gonna look at a few arrests and focus on that?
@JusticeForJoe: yes delay public transport genius
@Seán O’Sullivan: Fine point well made, Sean. I wouldn’t dare debate you
@JusticeForJoe: yea all the exhaust fumes the extra hr longer the bus n car were running while ye trying to save the world
@JusticeForJoe: Yes, what were these bandwagoners protesting about two years ago before “Climate Change” became the latest buzz word?
@JusticeForJoe: yeah “man” …
@Alan Carthy: Yeah but now consider the changes they’re trying to bring about. They’re trying to prevent more pollution than was caused there and they’re trying to push for ways to start getting rid of the carbon dioxide. Like planting forests. Did you know they actually have a reason to do this?
@GerryCummins: Just to help a little bit with the counting… “Climate change” is two words.
Read over that a few times tonight and I’ll test you on it tomorrow. Then we’ll talk
@JusticeForJoe: “A buzzword is a word OR PHRASE, new or already existing, that becomes very popular for a period of time”.
@Sean O’ Donovan: Slow clap for you, Sean. Glad you’re focussed on what’s important anyway
@Diarmuid Hunt: have you ever been in a field in Donegal Diarmuid, mad craic altogether so it is
@JusticeForJoe: well I was advocating destruction of property up there so I’m not really emphasizing that.
I just don’t think they should shut the place down to a large extent (I’m not sure if it’s that bad here, but in London they were blocking access to a hospital apparently).
@milton friedman: *unintentionally blocking the access to the hospital
@milton friedman: I’m glad to see it was unintentional, at least. I hope they make sure not to do it again. I also think disruption is the only thing that works. Otherwise nothing changes. People continue their humdrum existence trying not to rock the boat or call attention to themselves.
I also get what you were originally saying about the car. Personally, i used to say I’d like to drag a few politicians from their cosy beds in the middle of the night and hold public floggings for their flagrant disregard for the majority of people they’re supposed to represent. I realise that would probably be frowned upon by some people though
@JusticeForJoe: arrest them for disturbing the peace. It’s illegal to do so muppet
@JusticeForJoe: dismissing people like this isn’t going to win friends and influence people. The guy going to wexford or wherever maybe has sick kids, parents obligations. By antagonising normal folk u turn them against the message. Many people recycle etc take public transport.
Protest corporations and chains etc . If any of the protestors travel, buy in large chains or use large corporations at all they are part of the problem. Like the carbon tax penalising individuals is a ridiculos propsition when capitalism and corporations are the gigantic elephant in the room. Yes teach consumers ,change attitudes but go to the source. Protest diageo and other big business in the capital. Agriculture another problem here.
@Niall Brew: it’ a crisis no denying it but attacking ordinary joe soaps imo is a waste of time. Gigantic social media companies ( who give ad vrevenue to huge polluters etc ) are all based here. Its not hard to find out where much of them are based using google maps
@Niall Brew: * take ad revenue i mean…billions of it
@JusticeForJoe: oh dear, anal much?
@Niall Brew: I’m always gonna call out people who are slagging people who are trying to help. I’ll taunt them and boo them until my throat is sore because I refuse to let them belittle such a just cause. I don’t care if they don’t wanna be my friend and I don’t care that they’ll never change their mindsets. They’re lost causes and we have to push on without them. I’ll happily argue with them any chance I get though because otherwise they’ll assume I agree with them and I can’t have that.
@GerryCummins: Are you 12?
@JusticeForJoe: Carbon is 0.01% of the atmosphere.
@milton friedman: What use is a protest that doesn’t inconvenience someone, keeping quite doesn’t make a difference. Taxes are not equivalent to action. Time the Govt stepped up and banned single use items, e.g. why do McDonald’s, KFC etc allow paper cups, wrappers etc for sit down meals? Single use coffee cups should be banned, separate bins in the streets to separate rubbish, ban non-recyclable packaging on food etc. Lots they could do but don’t.
@VIncent McGloughlin: that’s the point.
Have these people jobs and if they have how are they getting the time off to hold other people going about their daily lives
@John gaughan: Can you genuinely not figure out how educated, qualified, working people would care enough about the state of the planet to get off their holes in the evening and show their distress?
@John gaughan:
The world is on fire.
You’re sniping at fellow human beings for trying to save you.
Join us. We can be the generation that saves the future
@John gaughan: Not everyone works 9-5 Mon-Friday
@John gaughan: Believe it or not, Some people actually care about these things enough to use their annual leave for it.
@Trevor J Coonan: I don’t need to be saved … so jog on with your “new cause”. Where were you 2 years ago before Climate Change became a “buzz word”? It’ like the Life of Brian quote “He is the Messiah, and I should know I’ve followed a few”….
@GerryCummins: Nobody cares what you think you need. They care about their kids
@John gaughan: what a stupid comment. Do you work 24 7 ?
@David: I work hard six days a week I am mad to see these people sitting on the streets in the middle of the day when working people paying for them to be there
@JusticeForJoe: working people are too tired to sit on the streets
@Trevor J Coonan: I don’t think that bunch on the Dublin streets will quench it
@ObsidianShine: yes some people do care and use holiday days to protest but the majority is on the dole
@John gaughan: You don’t speak for all working people, John. I work and you don’t speak for me.
@JusticeForJoe: kids? Like the offspring of Goats? Anyway I broke my own rule , interacting with scaredy anonymous people…Who is Joe anyway. You are looking for Justice for him?
@GerryCummins: Shh. Run along, child
@John gaughan: Why are you getting so wound up about some fantasy you had where the majority of the protesters are on the dole? They’re not. You can rest assured that whatever bad working conditions you have that have you working six days a week are a result of you being too scabby and mean to join a union as well.
These protesters are very green indeed. Causing delays to public and private transport and indirectly increasing CO emissions in the process. They’re not doing much to get ordinary workers on their side either but these people tend to look down their powdered noses at ordinary workers anyway.
@Em Gee: I agree that most ‘ordinary workers’ would never be on their side if they are not taking time off to be with them. They will not even bother to look into what they are protesting about very much either. Most important things in their lives are keeping time routines, and trying hard to keep doing what they think will keep the blesses and families happy.
The protesters are also hypocrites, but not arseholes, and I think Jonathan Pie explains this very well in his report today … https://youtu.be/TuCmdtcWKog
… that’s ‘keep the bosses and families happy’, the usual autocorrect bungle …
@Em Gee: Look down their powdered noses at ordinary workers?? Who do you think is protesting? Politicians and royalty??
@Em Gee: People tend to have no interest in anything other than their own self interest.
Don’t use all of your annual leave at once lads
@Kev: Hilarious Kev. Your 9-5 existence must be thrilling
@JusticeForJoe: well I feel like I actually contribute to society through my employment & taxation instead of blocking up the city
@Kev: Good for you. You also think everyone else works in the same job as you, or else they don’t work.
You also demonstrate beautifully the exact type of person who slags this movement
@Kev: is that contributing to society, or is it contributing to the status quo?
@JusticeForJoe: raising environmental issues is fine but jumping on the “let’s save the environment” bandwagon and blocking up traffic and preventing people from getting home from work, college etc is not the way to do it. Why can’t they do that on the weekend when it would disrupt less people? Don’t go blocking me on my way to work now while I pay for your entitlements
@Brian Ó Dálaigh: well it’s contributing to a little thing called a mortgage so that I can own my own home and earn a decent living for myself. I don’t these lads doing that for themselves.
@Kev: There you go. No interest in actual debate or discussion. I don’t claim entitlements, thanks. I work a lot. I doubt you earn much with that intellect though
@Kev: Have you spoken to any of “these lads”?
@Kev: Where you think you got the time to work and then come on and comment here. Protests. Trade union and otherwise.Go research your worker history. Your taxation gets wasted quite alot. 150 odd million gone on fixing schools this summer for example that should of been built the right way the first time simple checks from any one of multiple departments would of done it from many people employed and being taxed. Everything you buy is taxed. as your employed you probably go on holidays or buy a car, washing machine whatever with your money most of which goes overseas to whichever company produces it to be given out as a dividend . If a person on the dole buys something chances are it all stays in country, so they are funding themselves.
@Kev: Thats your choice as to what you decide to do with your time on this planet. Look after yourselve. Other people want to see a better world for them, you and the kids of both so they put time into that. Everyone end up in the same place in the end. You probably work just long enough making another bunch of indiviuals money to croak it as you make your final mortagage payment.
@Mark O’Leary: And before you start im full time self employed.
@Kev: you’re on TheJournal. Shouldn’t you be out working instead of commenting if you’re that concerned about your mortgage?
It would have more of an impact if they occupied the Dail bar.
@davey boy: some of the attacks on protesters here makes me laugh. People need to wake up and stop acting like a hen nursing a grenade
@davey boy: or the bord na mona bogs
All plastics are derived from hydrocarbons, so where will these hc’s come from to make mobile phones, EV cars, computers, tv’s, ipads?
@Damian Moylan: your ma
@Damian Moylan: Go do some research before making completely untrue statements like that please. Your ignorance is astounding, Hemp as one of many, can cover all of those things and is stronger and more durable and its one of many, https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=uses+of+hemp+plastic , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioplastic List is endless. Unfortunately the fossil fuel lobbyist and industries are so integrated within society that they are tough to remove without concerted pressure. Hence movements like ER. If people actually got off their high horsed asses , realized the need for their contribution to the world and society around them rather than watching, people watching tv shows, people fake dating on islands and “people that appeared on tv 5 times, appearing on t.v 5 more times dancing and made a concerted attempt to educate and make social change. Which they gained from people protesting and educating themselves in the first place the worlds problems would be solved in very short measure.
@Mark O’Leary: rubbish
@Mark O’Leary: Well said
@Mark O’Leary: that’s one long sentence!
These people are nuts. Im sure they all walk to work & live in trees & use no electronic devices. If there that concerned go plant a few trees, clean the streets etc
Lovin’ the chant
Carbon sequestration of our meadow lands should, but is not, taken into account for calculating Ireland’s carbon emmissions. For example in the beef industry. Green plants contain chlorophyll which undergo photosynthesis meaning they consume co2.
@Damian Moylan: Other countries do this but not Ireland. Of course cattle fed in slatted sheds in the U.S. and other hot countries do not have this benefit so emmissions in their case are much higher, also in terms of providing processed meal.
@Damian Moylan: USA is a “hot country”?
@Mark O’Leary: yes it is, very hot in fact, aircon everywhere!! check out their methods of beef production…
@Damian Moylan: maybe 13/14 states could be considered “hot”… they have 50 on the mainland….
@Mark O’Leary: 49 actually, Hawaii is not on the mainland
These people need to get a job and contribute to our society instead of causing trouble. #crusties
Where will plastic come from to make EV’s, phones, computers and another 1000 things. All plastics are derived from hydrocarbons…
@Damian Moylan: your ma!
@MarkS: Jez, forgot ask her.
@Damian Moylan: PLA Polyesters, Hemp,Starch-based plastics,Cellulose-based plastics,Protein based plastics and various others all more than capable of replacing hydrocarbons….. Legislation makes hydrocarbon based ones more affordable and blocks the use of others Hemp can make much stronger plastics than alot of hydrocarbon plastics. Look up Henry Ford and his hemp car for one example
Adhesives used for making shoes and also products made from plastics like batteries, electric cabling, tv’s, well just about anything really are made from refining hydrocarbons.
@Damian Moylan: our extinction will come via a meteor strike or super resistant bacteria/virus long before climate change impact
Where will the electricity come from for EV’s, home and industrial use, we don’t have a fraction of what we need.
@Damian Moylan: Wind 20% of Englands electricity comes from Wind, 15% of it off shore,(they have 60 million people, we got 5 and we got more coast ) , Thermo electric, Photovoltic (thats all those paneled roofs you been seeing last 5 years (only about .005% of the space on roofs used) , Wave, Biomass, Hydrogen generators to name a few….
@Mark O’Leary: The Uk has a 5% electricity surplus despite having nuclear energy, and that’s before they go all electric on cars ie. they don’t have enough electricity either. Btw if a hard Brexit ensues we are looking at tariffs in imported electricity from the Uk so the costs are going up.
@Damian Moylan: I’d like a horse and cart
but the poor yoke would fart.
@Damian Moylan: We’ve been a net exporter of electricity since 2016 so start again
@Damian Moylan: france – there are plans to lay an underwater cable / interconnector from france to ireland and then to connect up with the one from the uk to ireland , allegedly we will be able to ‘sell’ any excess electricity to either the uk and europe (though how that is going to work after brexit -the ‘brainboxs’ have not come up with yet ) or import extra when we need too – this of course means ireland will no doubt become dependant on either the uk or on europe for our energy needs – costs will no doubt double and we will face more carbon taxs to pay for the infrastructure – of course we COULD also try to build out own energy generating stations running of renewable sources like solar ,wind ,wave power etc or even nuclear –but that wont happen – we will end up going with the french option and screwing the irish citizens while making the french richer !!
Polyester used in clothing is derived from hydrocarbons.
@Damian Moylan: Idem, nylon and acrylic.
@Damian Moylan: PLA Polyesters
Might stick on the fire…
They are protesting in the wrong place, they should head down to poolbeg and protest down there! Sure come down to lovely Kilkenny and the air is as fresh as you’ll get anywhere in the world, don’t know what these are smoking
How many av n alarm clock set on there for the morning rent a crowd
Polystyrene (foam) is used for making matresses, couches, and insulation material used in buildings and cars and is derived from hydrocarbons.
@Damian Moylan: gypsum , sheeps wool, hemp easily and when done on scale has replaced and is replacing all of those things. Many more where those came from. Again Hydro carbon integration within society and the lobbyist and pressure groups and lack of understanding about alternatives within industries and subsidies by oil producing nations are the only reason these harmful products are used over less harmful products.
@Mark O’Leary: Gave ya a thumbs up. Good debate, you posted some interesting information, fair play.
Walkinstown roundabout at around 8am be a great spot for a sit down protest…..
:-) :-) How can one have a “sit-in” out in the open? Was it not a “sit-down” protest. I just love the sloppy writings of the (pun intended) Journal(ist) …. hahahaha….
Why do the police wear those silly yellow jackets all the time now
They should let public transport through.
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