Heather Humphreys has defended her handling of the Shane O'Farrell case.
The former TD for Cavan and Monaghan and Presidential candidate in the upcoming election says she has nothing but admiration for Lucia and her family for the manner in which they have fought for justice.
Lucia O 'Farrell said yesterday on the Wider View that it is disingenuous for the former minister and local TD to say she would be a voice for the people when she wasn't there for her family, she said we needed her to stand with us she wasn't there.
In a statement issued to Northern Sound today, Ms Humphreys said as a mother, "I am heartbroken at the death of Shane O’Farrell, I spoke to Lucia during that journey for an apology."
She said she made representations, she said she did her best and the former minister said she was sorry if Lucia feels she didn’t do enough.
"As the minister for justice for a period in which an independent review was ongoing I could not interfere. Like everyone in Monaghan I was extremely relieved to see the family receive their state apology and that was the sentiment I was expressing on Sunday when asked on RTE."
