Update: Cold Cases – Justice & Equality 24th September, 2014

QUESTION NO:  118
DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Justice and Equality (Ms. Fitzgerald)
by Deputy Bernard J. Durkan
for WRITTEN on Wednesday, 24th September, 2014. 

 *  To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which various cold cases continue to receive attention; if she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of resources available in respect of such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

                                                           – Bernard J. Durkan
 
REPLY.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the function of the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) is to assist Senior Investigating Officers assigned to the case in question in bringing investigations to a successful conclusion by identifying further investigative opportunities and ensuring that investigations conform to approved best practice guidelines.

At the conclusion of each review a substantive report is provided to the Senior Investigating Officer who considers the opportunities for further investigation for dissemination back into the investigative and operational units.  Any recommendation of organisational effect is disseminated within the Garda organisation to improve the overall investigative capability of An Garda Síochána. 

As the Deputy will be aware, the provision and allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of identified operational demands. In this regard I am informed that the SCRT continues to review serious cases that remain unsolved and continues to identify evidence and witnesses to assist in the development of these cases.