Donegal TD raises questions over state’s bail system after deadly hit-and-run

Donegal TD Thomas Pringle says that Eire’s justice system ‘is in pressing want of reform’.

The Unbiased TD was talking amid requires a public inquiry into the demise of Shane O’Farrell, a 23-year-old man who was killed in a hit-and-run in August 2011. The motive force within the incident, Zigimantas Gridziuska, was on bail on the time of the incident. Gridziusaka, a local of Lithuania, was discovered not responsible of inflicting demise by harmful driving and was banned from the State for 10 years.

Addressing the Dáil on Tuesday, Deputy Thomas Pringle known as on the Justice Minister to carry a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the demise of Shane O’Farrell.

A report on the unbiased scoping train into the circumstances surrounding the demise of Mr Shane O’Farrell was offered to the Dáil and Seanad.

Deputy Pringle stated:  “It’s completely devastating that the O’Farrell household has been pressured to proceed this struggle in opposition to the State to get the solutions they want during the last 12 years, since Shane’s premature demise in 2011. Sadly, I believe their struggle must proceed after this scoping report.”

The deputy stated: “All of the O’Farrell household are on the lookout for is solutions, but it surely appears their questions are exposing some very troubling truths that the State would fairly not deliver consideration to.”

The deputy stated the scoping train “did not uncover thorough or factual solutions to very important questions referring to Shane’s demise and there are very critical points concerning breaches of bail on this case as nicely.”

He stated: “The scoping train report doesn’t clarify why Zigimantas Gridziuska was at liberty, after having dedicated in extra of 30 offences whereas on bail from numerous district and circuit courts, for nearly two years earlier than the incident in 2011.”

Deputy Pringle stated that on the time of the incident, in addition to being on bail and in breach of bail circumstances, Zigimantas Gridziuska had obtained two jail sentences that had been by no means served.

The deputy stated: “This was not addressed within the scoping train report. This raises essential questions on numerous points of the prison justice system, together with the functioning of bail and the potential use of Garda informers.

“I’ve constantly raised my issues with the justice system on this nation. It’s clear that the justice system is in pressing want of reform.”

He stated he was reminded of a remark he heard in relation to the McBrearty case, that “the aim of the State is to ensure that the questions on McBrearty keep in Donegal. And I believe it is a good instance.

“The State has to ensure that the questions concerning the remedy of the O’Farrell household keep in Monaghan, as a result of we don’t need to admit that this might be going out proper throughout the nation. And I’m wondering what the bail system is like in Donegal, or in Tipperary, or in Cork, or in Kerry, as a result of if it’s something just like the bail system in Monaghan we’re being failed and let down on daily basis on this State.

“It’s incumbent on you, Minister, to handle this and to have a public inquiry to make sure this doesn’t keep in Monaghan, that it goes throughout the entire nation and we see adjustments come to gentle from it.”

Donegal TD raises questions over state’s bail system after deadly hit-and-run was final modified: October twenty third, 2023 by Workers Author