Minister has questions to answer on Fullerton case

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights, Aengus ÓSnodaigh TD this week welcomed the fact that missing correspondence between the Irish and British Governments in relation to the review of the investigation into the 1991 assassination of Donegal County Councillor Eddie Fullerton by loyalists had resurfaced after queries from Sinn Féin.

However, Ó Snodaigh was also critical of the Minister for Justice for refusing to answer his other direct questions in relation to the case in the Dáil.

The Minister for Justice refused to answer questions as to when the request was originally forwarded by the Dublin Government and, now that it has been officially received, when a response can be expected from the British authorities.

"Eddie Fullerton was an elected representative of the Irish people. He was a well-known and well-respected County Councillor in Donegal," said Ó Snodaigh. "There are serious questions that need to be answered surrounding the circumstances of his assassination — not least the role British agents may have had in it and the manner in which the original investigation was carried out.

"It is, therefore, all the more unacceptable that the Minister for Justice today refused point blank to release the contents of the interim Garda report into that investigation, categorically stated that he will not publish the final report, and moreover, that he refused to give a reason for this decision following a direct question from me. Such an attitude can only fuel public concern and suspicions about what the Irish and British authorities might have to hide in relation to this case."