asked the Minister for Defence whether the business premises of Mr. Timothy Collins, of Doon, Co. Limerick, were commandeered by a detachment of the National Army under Colonel William Hayes, on the 21st February, 1923, and occupied by them until July 6th, 1923; whether Mr. Collins and his family were obliged to live in a smoky cabin during portion of the period; whether they were evicted from that cabin on October 28th, 1924; whether they have since been living in a disused schoolhouse, a one-roomed building; whether Mr. Collins has made several applications for the return of his original residence and for compensation for the loss entailed by him as a result of the commandeering of it by the military; whether any notice has been taken of these applications, and whether he will state how soon these premises will be restored and compensation paid.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - COMMANDEERED PREMISES (CO. LIMERICK).
Mr. Collins' premises were commandeered on the 21st of February, 1923, by troops who arranged for his accommodation in another house in Doon. They evacuated his premises on the 6th July, 1923. Gárda Síochána then took possession and have since been in occupation of his house. I do not appear to have received any applications of any kind from Mr. Collins. I understand, however, that he has recently entered into an agreement with the Commissioners of Public Works to accept a certain sum in respect of the purchase of his premises and his claim for compensation, arising out of their occupation by military and police forces.