asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that it is stated that on the 10th March a man named Michael Walsh was arrested by the Gárda Síochána at Glanmire, Co. Cork, conveyed to the local barracks and released at 10.30 p.m., and was afterwards found by Miss Eily McCarthy, of Brooklodge, and a Gárda, in an unconscious condition within 50 yards of the barrack, after having, it is alleged, been assaulted by the Gárda; also, that four men, viz., William John McCarthy, Callahan McCarthy, William O'Mahony and Timothy Huggins, all of Brooklodge, were attacked and seriously assaulted by members of the Detective Division of the Gárda within 100 yards of Glanmire Gárda Síochána Station, on the night of 10th March; whether an inquiry has been held into these allegations, and with what result; and, if not, whether he will state what action it is intended to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alleged Assault in Co. Cork.
I have made inquiry into the subject matter of the Deputy's question, and I find that on Sunday night, 10th March, a man named Stephen Walsh (not Michael Walsh) was detained by the Gárda Síochána at Glanmire for a short period and released at 11.30 p.m. I have also ascertained that a few minutes before Walsh's discharge a Miss Ellen McCarthy, of Brooklodge, Glanmire, who apparently had been at a dance in the local Sinn Fein Hall, reported to the station that her brothers, Callahan and William John, had been assaulted, and that an ambulance was needed for the former. Having taken her complaint, one of the Gardai accompanied her to a garage some distance away, and on their way back to the station a man was found lying on the footway apparently unconscious. He proved to be Stephen Walsh aforesaid. Walsh was conveyed to the North Infirmary by the police. On the Monday morning following Walsh was visited by a Gárda and asked to make a statement, but he declined. He was discharged from hospital almost immediately after, the doctors being satisfied, apparently, that there was nothing wrong with him. Statements were, however, given by William John McCarthy, Callahan McCarthy, William O'Mahony and Timothy Huggins, but their statements have not thrown much light on the occurrences of that night. I have no evidence to show that the allegations against the Gárda Síochána contained in the question are well founded, but there is some evidence that some time previously there was a drunken row in the neighbourhood. and that hot words were used. Further investigations are proceeding along these lines.
Is the Minister aware that in this case this young man who was released from the Civic Guard station was found unconscious—I think the Minister admits that—a short time after within fifty yards of the Civic Guard station. If there was nothing much wrong with this man, he would hardly have been conveyed to the North Infirmary by the members of the Civic Guard in the very car that was used by the detectives to bring them on the scene and to commit this assault? I personally have made inquiries into this matter. I called on the local Superintendent of the Civic Guards on Sunday week myself.
The Deputy is now making a speech instead of asking a question.
I called on the local Superintendent——
The Deputy cannot make a speech at this stage.
I asked the local Superintendent of the Civic Guards if he intended holding an inquiry. What I want to know is this: Is it the intention of the Minister for Justice to hold an identification parade of the members of this detective force so as to give these men an opportunity of identifying those who assaulted them? Is that the Minister's intention? On Sunday week last I asked the local Superintendent to do so, but he has taken no action since.
The Deputy might be aware that even in his own question he does not assert that this young man was assaulted in the barracks. He alleges that the others were, but he does not allege that Walsh was, and Walsh himself never alleged that he was assaulted by the Guards. When questioned the next day in the barracks after his discharge from the hospital he made no charge against the Guards.
But what has the Minister to say with regard to the other four?
As far as they are concerned they have every opportunity of seeing the Guards who are in the village.
These men are entitled to at least an identification parade.
Might I ask, arising out of the fact that this man was arrested about 10.30 p.m., released about 11.30 p.m. and shortly afterwards was found in an unconscious condition, have the Gárdaí made any inquiries or taken any steps to trace those guilty of the assault alleged to have been committed?
Certainly, they are making full investigations. May I read out the latter part of my answer which the Deputy does not seem to have heard? "There is some evidence that some time previously there was a drunken row in the neighbourhood and that hot words were used." It would appear that after this man's release from the Gárdaí station people who had been waiting for him as a result of a previous row went for him. That is a possible explanation of what happened, and is being investigated.
Is the Minister aware that after bringing this man to the Glanmire station men of the detective division were engaged to come down and assault him after his release?
Nonsense.
Next question.
Will I get the opportunity of raising this matter on the adjournment?