To ask the Minister for Defence whether he has noted the following very serious report which appeared in Press (Independent), 6th instant, to the following effect, viz.:—
"Following the holding up of mail car near Midleton, Co. Cork, on Monday, armed raiders have commenced a campaign of wholesale looting and plundering in the district south of town. The following plunder and destruction is reported:—
(1) Licensed premises of Mr. McCarthy, Cloyne, robbed.
(2) Post Office, Shanagarry, raided and robbed.
(3) Licensed premises of Mr. Kennefick, raided and robbed.
(4) Residence of Mr. Engledow, Rostellan, raided and robbed.
(5) Residence of Mr. Shanahan, Ballymacoda, raided and robbed.
(6) Motor vans and contents of Messrs. Lenehan and Abernethy, Castlemartyr, wholly destroyed.
Whether the military are in sufficient strength and have sufficient transport and equipment to afford greater protection to the people of this area, and their property. Whether the military have apprehended any of these raiders engaged in above alleged loot and destruction; and whether, in the case of any of the above persons being seriously financially embarrassed, as a result of such raids on their premises and stock the Minister will, after having the necessary inquiries made by his department into each case of any such hardship, advise the Minister for Finance to advance sufficient moneys to such persons to enable them to carry on their business pending the hearing of their claim for compensation in the Law Courts.