Michael Fisher
During a topical issues session in the Dáil on Tuesday evening, Cavan Monaghan Sinn Féin Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin questioned the Minister for Justice, Charles Flanagan about an operation by armed Garda units in Monaghan town last month. During an incident at Dublin Street, a man was injured and required hospital treatment. The matter was referred by Gardaí to the Garda Ombudsman.
During the exchange with Minister Flanagan, Deputy Ó Caolaín placed on record this newspaper’s front page story on March 28th, quoting the full response to our enquiry about the incident from the Garda press office. In his answer Minister Flanagan referred in general terms to the deployment of Garda resources such as the Emergency Response Unit and a regional Armed Support Unit.
But he said that as the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission was investigating the incident, it would be inappropriate for him to comment any further at this time. Deputy Ó Caoláin said the Minister had shed no light on what took place or what the operation was about. He said it was important that Deputies were advised on what the criteria are for the deployment of such a number of heavilyarmed and disguised members….
