asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that during the last week in March, 1922, the then Military Authorities of the 1st Eastern Division circularised the injured and disabled soldiers of the old I.R.A., asking them to send in their claims for injury or disablement in hostilities against the British occupation, that a claim for compensation was made on behalf of William Goodwin, Baltrasna, Drumree, Co. Meath, for disablement of his right leg in an ambush of a train at Celbridge, Co. Kildare, on July 2nd, 1921, that compensation has not yet been paid in this case, that the said disabled soldier has been a burden on the local rates for the past fifteen months; and to ask when does the Minister intend to deal with this and similar cases.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ ORAL ANSWERS. ] - COMPENSATION CLAIM.
I have ascertained that such an inquiry was made early in 1922, in what was then the 1st Eastern Division. This inquiry was apparently initiated locally, and its results were not communicated to G.H.Q. I have no information at present regarding Wm. Goodwin.
Post-treaty events have prevented the matter of dealing before this with the question of grants and pensions in respect of men disabled in hostilities against the British. I expect, however, to be able to introduce a Bill, dealing with this matter, and with similar cases arising out of the present hostilities, early next month.