asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that acting on orders from Headquarters of the I.R.A. in Dublin, the Commandants of Kildare collected all sporting guns throughout the county in the last week of August and the first week of September, 1920, and that those guns were forwarded to the Ordnance Department, Island Bridge Barracks, Dublin, by the 7th Bridage, I.R.A., and whether the Minister will issue instructions for their return, in good condition, to the owners, or grant full compensation for same.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - I.R.A. AND SPORTING GUNS.
asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that a number of firearms were seized or commandeered by the Volunteers during the pre-Truce fight with the British forces; that the greater number of those firearms have not been returned, and whether he will make arrangements whereby compensation will be granted to the owners of such arms, and, if so, whether he will state what proof will be required to entitle applicants to such compensation.
I will take questions 3 and 4 together.
I am aware that firearms were taken from people by Volunteers prior to the Truce, and that a number of such firearms have not yet been returned to their owners. In many instances it has not so far been possible to trace the arms so taken, and in other instances it has not been possible to trace the owners of such arms as have been located in military custody. None of the arms in question were forwarded to the Ordnance Depot at Island Bridge Barracks.
The question as to whether compensation will be granted to persons whose arms cannot be traced is still under consideration. The procedure in connection with the submission of claims will be notified if and when it is decided that compensation will be payable.