Garda IRA collusion tribunal seeks extension

The last high profile Irish tribunal may just get an extension as the judge wants to finish his investigation into alleged Garda collusion with the IRA during the troubles.

Peter Smithwick is looking into the murder of two senior RUC officers in a 1989 IRA ambush. He now wants more time to finish off his investigation and has asked the Oireachtas for permission.

Justice Smithwick wants the extension to see if Gardaí actually colluded with the IRA in the murders. Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan were killed shortly after meeting a senior garda in Dundalk, Co Louth.

A spokesperson at the Department of Justice told the Irish Independent: "The minister will bring the matter to the Government shortly for its consideration," he said. "It is a matter for the Dáil and Seanad to decide on the terms of reference of the tribunal and any amendment that might be made."

The Tribunal has been ongoing since 2005, has sat for nearly 100 days, hearing from 190 witnesses. It's cost has been much less than that of its other counterparts so far at €8 million.

Justice Smithwick now wants until October to finish his final report and if he gets permission that will be just shy of a year since his first deadline last November.