asked the Minister for Justice if he will state whether he has received from the Kilrush Urban District Council a resolution demanding a sworn inquiry into the alleged misconduct of members of the Detective Division of the Gárda Síochána in Clare, in connection with the arrest and detention of Thomas Breen, of Coolmeen, and T.J. Ryan, of Cranny, and whether, in view of such demand and the sworn evidence submitted in substantiation of the charges, he will have such an inquiry instituted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Clare Prisoners.
I have received a resolution from the Kilrush Urban District Council on the lines indicated in the Deputy's question. I have inquired into the matter, and I am satisfied that the resolution, which was only passed by a majority of 4 to 3, two members not voting, was inspired by persons engaged in criminal activities to cover themselves and for propaganda purposes against the police. I do not propose to take any further steps in the matter.
Shame!
Mr. Hogan
If the Minister is convinced that certain members of the Kilrush District Council are engaged in criminal conspiracies against the State, is he prepared now to issue warrants for the arrest of these members?
The Deputy did not quite understand what I said. I said that this move was inspired by persons——
Mr. Hogan
Will the Minister have the persons who inspired these moves arrested?
The Deputy complains that they were arrested.
Mr. Hogan
In the interests of justice, when the Minister says that there were certain people who inspired these moves by members of the Kilrush Urban Council, I suggest that that is a charge against the Kilrush Urban Council, and in the interests of peace and order in the county and of protecting public bodies from interference of that kind by certain criminally inclined people will the Minister have the people whom he knows are inspiring these arrested?
And charged.