Shane tuoheys family launches legal action against state

 

The family of the late Shane Tuohey is taking a civil action against the State.

Rahan native Shane Tuohey (23) disappeared after a night out in Clara on February 2, 2002. His body was discovered seven days later in the River Brosna on February 9.

His family believe he was assaulted prior to his death. They allege the death wasn’t sufficiently investigated by Gardai.

Shane’s father Eamon said summonses have been lodged in the High Court naming the Minister for Justice, Attorney General, Garda Commissioner and members of An Garda Siochana.

The summonses were lodged in the High Court today, according to Mr Tuohey, in relation to the investigation into his son’s death.

“In the last four to six weeks we got vital information from a witness who was there on the night,” Mr Tuohey explained.  This evidence, he said, “is in the possession now of the Minister for Justice and the Department of Justice.”

He is angry that no action has been taken in light of this new evidence. Mr Tuohey claimed further “serious information” relating to the case has also come to light in recent weeks but won’t be released for legal reasons.

The Tuohey family has been seeking answers over Shane’s death for the past 12 and a half years. Shane’s brother Edwin is a member of Justice4All and the family attend regular campaign events.

Mr Tuohey said more than 12 years and a huge amount of money has been spent trying to uncover what happened to Shane. However, he insisted the family is not seeking financial compensation.

“We have to take this road, we are not taking this road for money,” insisted Mr Tuohey. “Our legal team in Dublin have told us this is the only road we can go now,” he explained. “We are not in it for money, we wrote to the Minister and we clearly explained that,” he added.