asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that following the hold-up of a mail car at Brownsgrove, County Galway, on January 26th, 1928, the houses of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of the Cortoon Cumann of Fianna Fáil were visited and searched by members of the Gárda Síochána, and the owners questioned with regard to their movements on the night of the hold-up; if he will state the nature and source of the information on which the Guards acted, and the result of their search of the houses of the persons mentioned.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SEARCHING OF COUNTY GALWAY HOUSES.
Following the hold-up of the Tuam-Dunmore mail car at Brownsgrove, County Galway, on the 27th ultimo, members of the local Gárdai Síochána visited on the morning of the 28th all houses in the vicinity. No search was, however, carried out. The doors of the houses were open and the Gárda entered and questioned the occupants as to their movements on the previous night. In the cases in which the occupants held firearm certificates they were asked to produce the firearms for inspection. Fifteen people in all were questioned on this occasion, and of these six were in possession of firearms. In conducting the inquiry the Gárda Síochána had no regard to the political opinions of the persons interrogated. The investigation was carried out in the ordinary routine way all persons who might be in a position to give information being approached.
Is the Minister aware that no people were raided except people holding Fianna Fáil political opinions?
There were fifteen people raided. As to what their political views were I have not the slightest idea.
You will never get them that way.