McDowell accuses Ferris of IRA army council membership

Amid heated and bitter exchanges, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell accused Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris of failing to reveal he was a member of the IRA army council.

The exchanges took place during the resumed debate on the Garda Síochána Bill. Mr Ferris criticised the Minister for failing to meet a Sinn Féin deputation relating to issues in his Kerry North constituency.

Addressing the Minister, Mr Ferris said: "He should listen for a change. He is not infallible. He does not know everything."

Mr McDowell replied: "I know a lot about the deputy."

During the exchanges, he said Mr Ferris had brought "a boatload of guns into this country".

Earlier, Mr Ferris said it was a waste of time bringing complaints before the Garda complaints board. There had, he said, been four requests for a meeting with the Minister concerning a "serious injustice" to a Kerry North constituent, James Sheehan.

"He was arrested on the grounds that a gun was allegedly discovered in his car. In a subsequent search of his house, 12 rounds of ammunition were discovered," Mr Ferris added.

"A file was sent to the DPP. Seven years later he received a letter from the DPP informing him that charges against him had been withdrawn, even though he was never charged."

Mr Ferris also referred to the case of John O'Shea who had died. "We and the family of the late John O'Shea have asked the Minister for a proper independent investigation into his death. Is it again because he was a member of Sinn Féin that his family was denied that?"

When Mr Ferris said there was a need for accountability, not only from the Garda but from the Minister, Mr McDowell remarked: "I have a right to point out that people like the deputy get elected under false pretences."

Mr Ferris said he was challenging the Minister to meet him and his colleagues. "The deputy never told the people that he was a member of the army council," said Mr McDowell.

Mr Ferris said the Minister had abused his office by failing to respond. "I ask him as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and as a public representative of the people of this country, to facilitate the people of this country who have been abused," he added.

Mr McDowell said: "I sincerely hope we will not find equipment in the back of Sinn Féin electoral workers' vans."

Amid further exchanges, Mr Ferris said: "I challenge the Minister to give justice equally to all the people.