asked the Minister for Justice whether any conditions, such as police supervision, attached to the acquittal of Mr. John O'Connor from complicity in the murder of Guard Dowling, North Clare; whether any reports were conveyed to his Department as to the activities of the members of the Detective Division of the Gárda Síochána in that district in respect of Mr. O'Connor; if he is aware that Mr. O'Connor's house was visited recently on three occasions in the early hours of the morning by a member of the Detective Division, accompained by members of the Gárda Síochána, when the detective, it is alleged, ill-treated O'Connor, his mother and sisters, and used offensive language towards the latter; if the Minister will state whether the Gárda authorities have sanctioned any particular supervision over the movements of Mr. O'Connor, and, if so, if he will give instructions for the discontinuance of any such supervision.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - POLICE ACTIVITIES IN NORTH CLARE.
No conditions in regard to police supervision were imposed on Mr. John O'Connor on his acquittal on the charge of complicity in the murder of Guard Dowling. I have received no complaints in regard to the activities of members of the Detective Division of the Gárda Síochána in Mr. O'Connor's district. As regards the police visits to the house of Mr. O'Connor I am informed that there were five such visits. There is no foundation for the allegations that the detectives ill-treated O'Connor or his mother or sisters or used offensive language towards the latter on the occasion of these visits. As a matter of fact I have before me statements signed by Mrs. O'Connor and her daughter denying that the detectives' behaviour had been in any way violent towards them.
The police authorities are responsible for preserving the peace in this locality and if, with this end in view, it is necessary to supervise the movements of Mr. O'Connor, I do not feel called on to issue instructions for the discontinuance of such supervision.
Mr. HOGAN
Does the Minister consider that one o'clock in the morning, on three different occasions, is a desirable hour at which to visit a house?
It might be the most desirable hour.