asked the Minister for Finance whether he will state the reasons for his refusal to grant a pension to Daniel O'Neill, of Enniskeane, Co. Cork, a resigned member of the 1R.I.C., who left that Force as a protest against the proposal of the British Government to enforce conscription in Ireland.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RESIGNED R.I.C.-MAN'S PENSION CLAIM.
After most careful consideration of all the facts and circumstances of Mr. O'Neill's case, I have come to the conclusion that national sympathies were not the guiding factors in inducing Mr. O'Neill to resign from the Royal Irish Constabulary, and that, accordingly, he was not eligible for a pension under Section 5 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act, 1923.
Did the Minister endeavour to get any information or evidence from the County Wexford, where this man was stationed before he left the police force?
Yes, I got information from Wexford.
Mr. MURPHY
Will the Minister say whether the facts of his resigning as a protest against conscription, that, he definitely stated that in his application to the British authorities, and that he was for a considerable period, during the pre-Truce days, imprisoned, would be any indication of his national sympathies?
Yes, they might. But I also regard his subsequent Irregular proclivities as indicating that he was probably more against the Government than influenced by national sympathies.
Will the Minister insist on saying that the man was not influenced by national sympathies in resigning?
I am not satisfied that it was through national sympathies he resigned.
We are quite satisfied that it was, and we know that it was definitely stated in the Government papers by him that it was through national sympathy he resigned. Will the Minister produce some evidence that it was not from national sympathies? We are quite satisfied that it was.
Is the Minister aware that owing to his resigning as a protest against conscription he had subsequently to leave the area in the County Wexford in which he was stationed because of the attitude of his former colleagues and the R.I.C. authorities?
I have not been satisfied of the national sympathies of anybody who subsequently displayed distinct Irregular proclivities such as he did.