Recently-retired District Court Judge Gerard Haughton is to conduct a scoping exercise into certain matters surrounding the circumstances leading to the tragic death of Shane O’Farrell in a road-traffic incident on 2 August 2011.

Justice minister Charlie Flanagan has appointed Judge Haughton to lead the inquiry, following the completion of a GSOC disciplinary investigation. The written report on the incident is now with the Garda Commissioner, and the O’Farrell family have been informed about the findings.

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Minister Flanagan said: “The death of Shane O’Farrell has had a devastating effect on his family who have, for some time, raised concerns about the circumstances leading to his death.

“I have assured Mrs O’Farrell that Judge Haughton will meet with her and her family in early course, and that he is entirely free to recommend any course of action to me which he considers appropriate.”

A motion was passed by Dáil Éireann last June calling for a public inquiry into the matter.

The terms of the scoping exercise will include a review of changes in the law and practice in relation to bail and bench warrants, and whether these have addressed gaps in the system.

Judge Gerard Haughton was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 1971. He was appointed to the District Court in April 1991, and assigned to District 23 (Wexford) in 2011.