The opposition parties have united to call for a judicial inquiry into the case of a Donegal family alleging victimisation by local Gardaí. Justice Minister John O'Donoghue today named a senior lawyer to look at the files in the case, but the opposition says that is not enough.
The McBrearty family, from Raphoe, has alleged a campaign of harassment by Gardaí following the suspicious death of a local cattle dealer, Richie Barron, in 1996. Last year the Director of Public Prosecutions dropped over 160 charges against the family, which is now suing the State.
At a press conference in Dublin, a lawyer for the McBrearty family said they would be prepared to put those cases on hold if the Government agreed to an inquiry.
The Justice Minister today named Senior Counsel, Shane Murphy, to examine all the files in the affair. The opposition parties had already described the move as inadequate.
Fine Gael Justice spokesman, Alan Shatter, said it was a "smokescreen to conceal inaction", while Labour's Brendan Howlin said Mr O'Donoghue's failure to hold an inquiry amounted to dereliction of duty.
Green Party leader, John Gormley, said that whatever happened, there would at some stage be a public inquiry into the affair. An opposition motion calling for an inquiry will be debated in the Dáil tomorrow evening.
