To ask the Minister for Defence whether Philip O'Neill, Organiser, Irish Transport and General Workers' Union, Birr, was arrested some months ago, and is still in custody; whether he signed the form on December 31st applying for his release, and giving the required undertaking not to use arms against the Government; why he has not been released, and whether it is now proposed to release him, or, in the alternative, bring him to trial.
[WRITTEN ANSWERS.] - TRANSPORT UNION ORGANISER'S ARREST.
Mr. O'Neill was arrested on the 12th November last and is still in custody. He signed the usual form of undertaking on the 30th December. His release was, however, not considered advisable in view of the fact that during a search of his house, in consequence of firing on our troops in the neighbourhood, pistol ammunition and a large quantity of field dressings were found in his possession. It is proposed to formulate a charge against him and to put him on trial.