Smithwick tribunal gets extension

The Government has acceded to a request for more time from the Smithwick Tribunal.

In a statement this afternoon Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said the Government will shortly table motions to extend the conclusion date for the tribunal to July 31st, 2013.

The tribunal, which is investigating allegations of collusion between members of An Garda Síochána and the IRA in the murders of two RUC officers - Chief Supt Harry Breen and Supt Bob Buchanan - was set up in 2005.

It began taking evidence in 2006 and commenced public hearings in the summer of 2011.

In a statement Mr Shatter said the Government was “anxious” the tribunal complete its work as quickly as possible, “not least” for the sake of the Breen and Buchanan families. But Mr Shatter said it was important that the work of the tribunal be completed fully. He said it was clear that it was necessary to extend the deadline for the tribunal to complete its work.

“Accordingly, I will shortly put before the Dáil and Seanad motions to extend the conclusion date for the tribunal to 31 July, 2013. In line with the approach which I have taken to ensure that the Oireachtas is fully informed by the tribunal of progress in its work, the motions will also require the tribunal to submit interim reports by 31 January, 2013 and again by 30 April, 2013,” he said.

The tribunal had been expected to submit its final report to the Oireachtas by October 31st, having requested additional time last May. On assuming office Mr Shatter said he hoped the tribunal could complete its business by November 2011.

However, the tribunal has been delayed by the arrival of significant information that was delivered by the PSNI in July, and which sole member of the tribunal Judge Peter Smithwick deemed was relevant to its inquiries.

The tribunal has also been delayed by the poor health of one of its key witnesses, former detective sergeant Owen Corrigan who is expected to undergo a heart bypass in the coming months.

Mr Corrigan is one of three former sergeants based in Dundalk in the 1980s who have been granted legal representation at the tribunal. The others are Finbarr Hickey and Leo Colton.