asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that Volunteer Joseph Walshe, Woodstock Street, Athy, Co. Kildare, Army No. 39164, Carlow Brigade, has been refused a pension by the Army Pensions Board in respect of an injury to his wrist as a result of falling from a lorry whilst on duty at Clonegal, Carlow, on August 27th, 1923; and whether, as Mr. Walshe is destitute and unable to work and to provide for his wife and four children, he will, in view of the lifelong hardships which this decision means to this family, have it reconsidered with a view to granting a pension.
CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - ARMY PENSION REFUSED.
Mr. Walshe's claim was disallowed as being outside the scope of the Army Pensions Act, 1923, on the grounds that his present condition is not due to the injury referred to. It is regretted that it is not practicable to reconsider the decision.
Does that mean that this man, his wife and his family, are to be condemned to lifelong hardships because of his services in the Army, or is the Minister not going to take account of these terrible circumstances in the case?
The result of the medical examination is that it has been ascertained that his present condition is not due to the injury referred to but to other causes.
The man's wrist is broken. He is unable to work because of the injury he received in the fall from the lorry while on active service.
That is not the report of the Army Medical Board.