The head of a new Garda unit which is reviewing unsolved murders over the last 20 years said yesterday he was hopeful that fresh prosecutions would arise from its investigations.
Det Supt Christy Mangan, who has been appointed head of the Garda's serious crime review team, said officers have started revisiting up to 200 case files of killings dating back to the 1980s.
He said new approaches to forensic testing and greater willingness of witnesses to co-operate with gardaí could hold the key to making progress in a number of cases.
However, he cautioned that the success rate in securing prosecutions in "cold case" investigations in other police forces was relatively low.
"Obviously a lot will depend on what evidence is available, and if there are new developments in relation to forensic evidence.
"Also, a fresh set of eyes in relation to the case can benefit the investigation and the passage of time with witnesses.
"Some people will change their mindset, their personal circumstances may have changed and intimidating people who may have been present at the time might not be there now."
Among the cases the eight-strong unit is reviewing is the case of Brian Stack, a Portlaoise prison officer who was killed in 1983.
Mr Stack, a father of three, was shot in the back of the neck as he left a boxing contest in the National Stadium.
A file on his death is being reopened following a campaign by his family, who say new evidence is available which may help solve the crime.
Speaking at a press conference in Garda headquarters yesterday, Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy said the wishes of the relatives of those killed would play a crucial role in whether murders were reinvestigated.
"The team will talk to relatives of victims where a review is being carried out. If it is in their interests, and the interests of the investigating team [to have an investigation], then it will be done. We're very conscious of the rights of relative of those who have been killed," said Mr Conroy.
Other changes to the Garda announced yesterday include:
• The appointment of 21 detective inspectors, one for each district in Dublin and Garda division outside the capital;
• Regional detective superintendents will also be allocated on a similar basis;
• Specialist victim interviewers are being trained with expertise in interviewing children under 14 years, people with special needs and victims of sexual crime;
• Gardaí are being trained in forensic collisions to ensure there is expertise for investigating serious road crashes or fatalities;
• Senior investigating officers are being recruited to take charge of serious crime inquiries.
Many of these new measures follow recommendations from the Morris tribunal, the Garda Inspectorate and developments in other police forces.
Green Party justice spokesman Ciarán Cuffe said he was delighted to see the Garda taking on board these recommendations.
"I am particularly pleased to see the introduction of specialist victim interviewers, who will be trained to deal with children under 14, those with special needs and victims of sex crime.
"It is vital that members of An Garda are properly equipped to deal with the most vulnerable in our society."
