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Referencing the brutal murder of Jamey Carney in Killarney, Carol Nolan TD has urged the Minister for Justice to act to ensure that the identity of suspects in serious crime cannot be kept hidden because they are asylum seekers.
As first identified on Gript, while a manhunt for was underway for the only person of interest in the murder of Ms Carney, Gardaí said they would not release identifying details – such as name, nationality or age – of the man being sought for legal reasons. The International Protection Act 2015 prohibits the identification of persons seeking asylum in Ireland.
Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Nolan said she knew “the Minister will share my profound horror at the recent and brutal murder of Jamey Carney, the absconding of her so-called partner to Jordan and the wider pattern of escalating violence against women.”
She then asked: “Will the Tánaiste also agree that no aspect or provision of the International Protection Act should ever inadvertently give cover to someone or hamper An Garda Síochána in the effective discharge of its duties in terms of releasing information on those suspected of such crimes, regardless of whether they are international protection applicants?
The Offaly Independent TD said that “absolute clarity” was required on the matter – and called for a review of the legislative framework.
“Will the Tánaiste accept that absolute clarity is required so that operational decisions by An Garda Síochána are never influenced by any perceived legal constraint?” she asked.
“Will he therefore commit to a review of the relevant legislative and operational frameworks to ensure that, regardless of current statutory provisions, no chilling effect is being caused or created that might discourage or inhibit the reporting or public identification of suspects who are also international protection applicants, where such reporting is necessary for public safety or investigation purposes?” she said.
In response, an Tánaiste, Simon Harris said: I thank Deputy Nolan for raising the issue and I join her and all Members of the House in extending our absolute sympathy to the family of Jamey Carney and our repulsion, horror and deep sadness at what has occurred.”
“This Government, through our law enforcement authorities, through An Garda Síochána, will go to the ends of the earth to ensure justice is served. There is already a very significant active Garda investigation under way, as the Deputy is aware, with pan-jurisdiction elements too, as you would expect,” he said.
“On the broader point I would follow the advice and views of An Garda Síochána on that. The immediate priority is obviously the ongoing criminal investigation but if there is a moment of reflection or review the Garda thinks would assist it from a public safety point of view, of course the Government would take that most seriously,” an Tánaiste said.
Last week, Carol Nolan called for a change to the law which allows the identity of asylum seekers suspected of a crime to remain hidden, saying that it is being used to ” inadvertently shield or even assist those who are accused or suspected of committing barbaric acts of murderous violence against women”, something she described as “simply staggering”.
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