Justice Minister Plans Apology to Family of 2011 Hit-and-Run Victim

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan is set to deliver a public apology in the Dáil to the family of Shane O’Farrell, a 23-year-old cyclist killed in a 2011 hit-and-run near Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan. The driver, Zigimantas Gridziuska, had multiple previous convictions and was out on bail when the fatal incident occurred, despite a court ruling that should have placed him in custody. The O’Farrell family has campaigned for years, seeking a public inquiry into how a repeat offender was free to cause the tragedy. Although a 2023 scoping inquiry recommended against a full public inquiry, O’Callaghan acknowledged the family’s concerns and plans to address the issue, possibly through the Oireachtas justice committee. The case has highlighted serious issues in the criminal justice system, including failures in communication between courts, as Gridziuska was sentenced without reference to an earlier court order requiring his return if further offenses occurred. The apology follows multiple parliamentary motions and reflects ongoing efforts to bring clarity and accountability to the circumstances surrounding O’Farrell’s death.