Minister Fitzgerald grants short extension to O’Higgins Commission of Investigation
13 January 2016
The Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, TD, has extended the reporting date for the O’Higgins Commission of Investigation by three months to end April 2016 following a request from the Commission.
This Commission of Investigation was established to investigate and report on certain matters relative to the Cavan/Monaghan Division of the Garda Síochána and has Mr Justice Kevin O'Higgins as Sole Member. The Commission commenced its work on 10 February 2015 and was set an indicative period of one year within which to report.
The Commission submitted an Interim Report on 14 December 2015 requesting the Minister to exercise her powers under section 6(6) of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 to provide a three month extension for the Commission to report. The Commission is now proposing to report by 29 April 2016. The Minister has granted the extension.
A copy of the Commission’s Interim Report is available on the Department’s website via the following link.
ENDS
Note to Editors
- Mr Justice Kevin O'Higgins is the Sole Member of the Commission of Investigation which was established under SI No 38 of 2015 to investigate and report on certain matters relative to the Cavan/Monaghan Division of the Garda Síochána.
- This Commission arose from the report of May 2014 from Mr Sean Guerin, SC, to An Taoiseach concerning allegations made by Sergeant Maurice McCabe. The Government accepted Mr Guerin's recommendation that a Commission of Investigation under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 was desirable in the public interest in order to ensure continuing confidence in the Garda Síochána and the criminal justice system.
- The Government set an indicative period of one year for the Commission to report. The Commission commenced its work on 10 February 2015 and, accordingly, it is due to report by 9 February 2016.
- The Order establishing the Commission specifies the Minister for Justice and Equality as the Minister responsible for overseeing administrative matters relating to the Commission, including receiving its reports.