Two investigations have been launched into the conduct of a case in Castlerea District Court, Co. Roscommon. The investigations are to be carried out by the Garda and the Department of Justice.
The case concerns an alleged assault by the son of a then-serving member of the Garda Siochana. It was finally dealt with at an earlier court sitting than had been scheduled and the charges were dismissed.
The Chief Justice, the DPP and the Attorney General have been informed, and the President of the District Court will be informed as soon as he returns from abroad, according to the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue.
The case was raised by Mr Jim Higgins of Fine Gael in the Dail yesterday. He asked the Minister if he was satisfied that the case last January was properly listed and if the gardai were properly notified about it.
In his reply the Minister said that he had made inquiries and received certain information. "Within the last few hours I have received further information which appears to contradict the earlier version," he said. "In light of this I have no option but to initiate immediate inquiries."
Mr Higgins said that the case arose from an assault with a bottle on a security man. The victim sustained considerable injuries. The case was adjourned until the February sitting of the court, but was called in January, although it should not have been and was not on the original list.
The case relates to charges against Oliver O'Regan from Castlerea. According to the report on the case in the Roscommon Herald, when Mr O'Regan appeared in court last December his solicitor, Mr Gerry Gannon, said that when the case originally came before the court it was struck out because the investigation was deemed unsatisfactory.