asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that Mr. Patrick Considine, Annagh, Miltown Malbay, is stated to have suffered an injury to his head whilst serving in the National Army, that a pension previously awarded was recently discontinued, and if, in view of the fact that the man is totally incapacitated, he will favourably reconsider his case.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - MILTOWN MALBAY SOLDIER'S INJURY.
Mr. Considine made a claim in respect of a head injury alleged to be the result of a fall from a lorry in August, 1922. He was examined by the Pensions Medical Board on two occasions and was found to be demented, but to have no abnormality in the head. I suppose that is, no physical abnormality. In order to avoid any possibility of hardship, a temporary pension was granted. The case was kept under observation for twenty-one months, and arrangements were made for an examination to be conducted by an eminent mental specialist. The latter certified that the claimant's condition could not be connected with an injury, and that a mental breakdown was inevitable apart altogether from the question of injury. The case is, therefore, clearly outside the scope of the Army Pensions legislation. I regret that I am, therefore, unable to reconsider it.
Will the Minister for Finance ask the Minister for Defence how, if in this case an eminent surgeon says that the man was four days unconscious immediately after the accident, it can now be stated that his present condition has no connection whatever with the accident?
This is a case where I think the best advice available has been taken.