21.06.21 – Senator Vincent P. Martin – Seanad Eireann

21.06.21 – Senator Vincent P. Martin – Seanad

21.06.21 – Senator Vincent P. Martin – Seanad

Senator Vincent P. Martin

I will begin by formally seconding the proposal on the Order of Business by my party colleague, Senator Pauline O’Reilly, to take No. 20 on today’s Order Paper before No. 1.

I wish to mention two very sad matters today. First, 15-year-old Tiggy Hancock is being laid to rest this afternoon. She was an exceptional horse rider and had a bright future ahead of her in eventing but last week that all ended in a most tragic fatal accident at a training session. One journalist wrote, “the world has lost an angel”. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

I will also mention the fact that it is approaching ten years since university postgraduate student, Shane O’Farrell, lost his life in a tragic hit-and-run incident near his home in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. The full circumstances leading to this fatal accident remain unresolved. We know that the person who did this had a record of criminality and was a repeat offender. The scoping inquiry has been extended on several occasions.

An Cathaoirleach

I wish to caution the Senator against naming anybody.

Senator Vincent P. Martin

Very good, a Chathaoirligh.

An Cathaoirleach

I know you are not doing it, but I just want to raise the issue.

Senator Vincent P. Martin

Yes. In the case of Sergeant McCabe, the scoping inquiry took only a few weeks but, in this case, the scoping inquiry has gone on for almost 18 months. It has been extended repeatedly. This is not a criticism of Judge Haughton, but the family continue to hurt. They want to get to the bottom of this and to get the truth. It is compounding their upset. In addition, until it is resolved and clarified, with recommendations and, hopefully, a public sworn inquiry, as both Houses of the Oireachtas voted for about three years ago, such incidents could recur. With that in mind, we must instil urgency in this matter. I invite the Leader to try to ascertain the latest situation for the O’Farrell family who are still deeply hurt and upset as a result of this.