Updated 20:35

The Government is establishing a scoping inquiry to look at changes to the law after the death of Shane O'Farrell in Monaghan in 2011.

23-year-old Shane was out cycling near Carrickmacross in August 2011 when he was knocked down and killed.

It later emerged that the driver - Lithuanian national Zigimantas Gridziuska - was on bail for a number of offences.

A GSOC report into the case has found that no gardaí had committed a criminal offence in relation to their handling the case.

However, Shane's mother has long called for for a public inquiry into how gardaí handled it - with his mother saying her son "deserves people to be held to account for their failure to him".

This afternoon, it was confirmed that Judge Gerard Haughton will lead a scoping inquiry "in relation to circumstances leading to the death of Shane O'Farrell".

It will examine whether there needs to be any more changes to law or any further investigation.

It will also be able to recommend any further investigation, up to a full tribunal.

An interim report is due to be delivered within eight weeks.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan met with Shane's mother Lucia today, and said in a statement that Judge Haughton will be "entirely free to recommend any course of action to me which he considers appropriate".

However, speaking after the meeting, the O'Farrell family said they were not consulted on the new scoping inquiry.

They said in a statement: "The Minister wanted to inform the family that he has ordered a scoping exercise to be carried out, which will be chaired by Mr Justice Haughton of the District Court. 

"In the family's view a scoping exercise falls far short of recognising the Dail's 2 to 1 vote in favour of a public inquiry which was passed in June 2018."

They add: "There was no consultation with the family, nor has the family had the opportunity to consider or comment on the terms of reference. They are considering their next steps in the circumstances."

Reporting by Stephen McNeice and Sean Defoe