asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that the premises of Miss Sheila Wallace, St. Augustine Street, Cork, have been repeatedly raided by members of the detective branch of the Gárda Síochána, the latest being on Saturday, 3rd April; whether any incriminating evidence has been found on the occasion of any of these raids; whether he is aware that the lady is in delicate health and that night raids are liable to be injurious, and whether he will give instructions that these raids shall not be repeated unless there is substantial ground for believing that the safety of the State is endangered.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ALLEGED RAIDS BY DETECTIVES IN CORK.
TOMAS MAC EOIN
Mr. O'HIGGINS
At 10 p.m. on Saturday, 3rd April, the premises of Miss Wallace were searched by three members of the Detective Branch of the Gárda Síochána, on a Search Order under the Firearms Act, 1925. Miss Wallace was the only occupant of the house when the search was made. Nothing incriminating was found. There is no truth in the allegation that the lady's house has been searched repeatedly, the above occasion being the only time such action was taken. Miss Wallace is about 35 years of age, and enjoys good health. She did not present the appearance of a person in delicate health when her premises were searched. In fact, she was particularly energetic and vehement in her denunciation of the police. There is no unnecessary attention being paid to the premises. It is not proposed to search them on any occasion unless the Gárda are in possession of information that would lead them to believe that conduct prejudicial to the safety of the State is being carried on there.
Will the Minister take it from me that I have personal knowledge the place has been searched frequently, and that the lady, no matter how vehement she may have been, is delicate.
Mr. O'HIGGINS
I cannot speak with personal knowledge on the question as to the number of searches, or on the question of the lady's health, but I am speaking from the information which has been supplied to me. I am prepared to sift that information very thoroughly, and if it is found to be inaccurate, I am prepared to deal with the persons responsible for the inaccuracy.