To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been directed to the report which appears in the "Irish Independent" of September 14th (Page 5, Col. 5), to the effect that "Mr. P. Hynes, Chairman of the Local Branch of the Postal Union, was arrested at his home, Newcastle, Co. Galway, by National troops and taken to Galway Gaol"; if he is in a position to say whether or not Mr. Hynes arrest is due to his activities as a Trade Union Official; if not, will he state the cause of arrest, whether Mr. Hynes is still in detention and, if so, whether it is proposed to formulate a definite charge against him and bring him to trial.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - POSTAL UNION OFFICIAL'S ARREST.
(in a writen reply):—
(1). Mr. Hynes's arrest is not due to any of his activities as a Trades Union Official.
(2). His arrest and his continued detention is due to the fact that he is charged with communicating the following instructions regarding the attacking of the Post Office, apparently at Galway, to members of the Irregulars in that area:—
"I enclose more carefully drawn plans of Post Office premises. They are not exactly to scale, as only drawn from eye and memory. If day or morning attack considered not practicable, on account of difficulty in getting away, I have considered a plan for a night attack—but mind there are men on watch at night time, especially at the back.
"Enter O'Halloran's garden either from Abbey Gate side or Mary St. back premises. The best point to enter Post Office yard, so that a Company could not be observed, is just at back of Murray's house, at a point where there is a Sycamore Tree, or between that or electric light pole, which overhangs the narrow passage of Post Office yard, as shown on diagrams.
"Climb up tree to height of wall. Attach short rope 5 or 6 yards long to strong part of tree. When on top of wall slide down to floor of narrow passage noiselessly. No window commands a view of the position, except one or two at top back, marked with red crosses, on top floor. This view is, however, very, very slight, and they will not be looking out there unless they are aroused by noise. They are often saying stones are fired at tin shed ‘with object,' they say, of getting them out to investigate. Fire no stones beforehand. When in yard, one to go to window of store-room which will be closed, but unlocked. Raise slowly and noiselessly. One to go in, taking care to avoid book-rack on top of big table just inside window. Get off table slowly and noiselessly. The door shown by dots will be locked, but key herewith will open same. When opened slowly and noiselessly, peep out and see if way is clear to open side-door, just beside this (out to passage). The same key will open this and it can only be opened from inside, as the key-hole inside is not opposite the key-hole in lock. Both doors are shown by dots and blue marks, on the plan. The door open, the whole Company or as many as thought desirable could rush in suddenly. The risk, however, is very great, if any of the men are within view. However, if the door is opened very quickly from the inside they would not have time to think, and if a good time was selected, there might be no one in sight at all."