merrion street

Judge Gerard Haughton has provided the Minister for Justice and Equality with the interim report of his scoping exercise related to the tragic death of Shane O’Farrell. Shane O’Farrell was tragically killed in August 2011 while cycling on the N2 near Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan by a driver, Mr Zigimantas Gridziuska, who had many previous convictions and who at the time of the collision was on bail.

Judge Haughton’s interim report sets out the background of the events that led to the scoping exercise. He describes the timeline from the death of Shane O’Farrell; the criminal prosecution of Mr Gridziuska and its outcome; the coroner’s inquest into Mr O’Farrell’s death; Ms Lucia O’Farrell’s successful campaign leading to the introduction of s 17 of the Road Traffic Act 2014; the Independent Review Mechanism’s (‘IRM’) review; and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission’s (‘GSOC’) investigation and report.

Judge Haughton states in his interim report that he anticipates being able to conclude his exercise within the next six months. The Minister has assured Judge Haughton of any assistance he needs to ensure that he can complete his work within this timeframe and looks forward to receiving his report as soon as possible.