To ask the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that the relatives of the late Thomas M`Keown, who was executed in Dundalk on January 13th, demand a full inquiry into the circumstances of his arrest, on the ground that at the time of his arrest at his own home Thomas M'Keown had in his possession nothing but his shirt that the weapon found in the house was an old useless revolver, that it was not found in the apartment occupied by him, that only six rounds of ammunition were found in the house, and not 100, as alleged, and that this ammunition did not even fit the revolver found; and to ask whether the Minister will have a full inquiry made and cause all available evidence in the case to be produced.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - A RECENT DUNDALK EXECUTION. (DEMAND FOR INQUIRY.)
A sworn inquiry was held on the 4th January, 1923, to investigate the charge against the late Thomas M`Keown of having been in possession, without proper authority, of one revolver and 100 rounds of ammunition at Piedmont on 3rd January, 1923.
It is not alleged that the revolver and ammunition were found in the apartment occupied by the late Thomas M`Keown. They were, however, found in the house occupied by him. Neither is it alleged that the ammunition fitted the revolver. The unauthorised possession of either would, however, under the terms of the Army Council Proclamation of the 7th December, 1922, render the possessor liable to the death penalty.
At the sworn inquiry the late Thomas M'Keown admitted full responsibility for the possession of the revolver and ammunition, and stated that he had read the Proclamation referred to,
In the circumstances I do not consider that any further inquiry is necessary.