asked the Minister for Defence if he will state what is the reason for the delay in payment of compensation to the relatives of the late William Merriman, who was killed at Wexford on the 25th November, 1922, the coroner's inquest disclosing that he was accidentally shot by Private Cassidy, of the National Army.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - A COMPENSATION CLAIM AGAINST ARMY.
Compensation, as such, is not payable from Army Funds to the relatives of the late William Merriman. However, the case is under consideration with a view to seeing whether the circumstances would justify the payment of a grant on an ex gratia basis.
Will the President undertake to expedite the hearing of this claim?
I should say this is one of a very considerable number of cases. I will endeavour to do that, but I cannot give an exact undertaking with regard to the matter on account of the large number that there are.