Minister Frances Fitzgerald publishes investigation report by Judge Michael Reilly

Frances Fitzgerald T.D, Minister for Justice and Equality, has today published the report submitted to her by Judge Michael Reilly of his investigation into the handling of warrants in the case of Celyn Eadon.

Mr. Eadon had been remanded in custody at Castlebar District Court on 16 February 2011 but despite this had been released. Approximately three weeks after his release Mr. Eadon was charged with the unlawful killing of his mother and in February 2014 was convicted of her murder.

In March 2011 Judge Reilly was requested by the then Minister, Alan Shatter T.D. to conduct an investigation into the circumstances in which Mr. Eadon was released at Castlebar District Court the previous month.

The Report finds that proper procedures had operated in Castlebar District Court. Additionally, Judge Reilly was satisfied with improvements that were ntroduced for the handling of warrants in Provincial District Courts generally. The conduct of the Garda members in question was addressed under the statutory disciplinary procedure and Judge Reilly’s non-statutory investigation could not make findings in relation to a matter already decided by a statutory process.

Following this outcome, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) was requested by former Minister, Alan Shatter T.D, to examine the Garda practice, policy and procedure in relation to dealing with persons who are committed to custody on remand by a court. This examination by GSOC is ongoing.

Commenting on the report Minister Fitzgerald stated: “I very much regret the tragic situation that has occurred. The primary concern at this stage is to ensure that such a serious breakdown at operational level should not happen again. In this context I note that Judge Reilly has expressed satisfaction with the manner in which these matters are dealt with by the Courts Service. With regard to the Garda Síochána the relevant procedures are currently the subject of a review by GSOC and I hope to receive its report with the results of the review at an early stage.”

The Minister continued, “Arrangements have been made to provide a copy of the Report to the family of Mr. Celyn Eadon in advance of today’s publication.” “I am very grateful to Judge Reilly for his report and I appreciate the work that he undertook in the course of his investigation.”

Judge Reilly’s report is available on the Department’s website at

www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/PB14000210