In bringing forward this on the adjournment I must say that the manner in which this and other matters, which are really very serious, are treated by the Minister for Justice is, to say the least of it, very unfair. The case I put before him here last week represented most unjustifiable action on the part of the detective division of the Guards. At a local dance hall, which used to be attended by the Civic Guards, a Guard came in one night and tried to kick up a row. He was prevented from doing so. When young Walsh, with whom he attempted to kick up the row, came outside the hall, he was arrested and taken to the local police station. There he was detained until 11.30 at night. The next thing that happened was that Stephen Walsh was released from the police station and then he was found by a Guard lying unconscious on the footpath within fifty yards of the police station. The other four boys mentioned went for a walk as far as the local post office in Glanmire. When they were coming back, this private car drove up and stopped at the police barrack. A flash-lamp was immediately turned on the boys. Four men got out of the car, followed them up the road, called on them to halt, assaulted them and kicked them when they were down. I have statements from those four boys, the same statements as were given to the Superintendent of the Civic Guards the following morning.
Last week the Minister for Justice stated: "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." Apparently the suggestion here is that this was a row between civilians. The Minister goes so far as to say that the authorities are making full investigations. Last week when I asked about the matter the Minister said: "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 Gardai 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."
As I have said, statements were handed to the Superintendent on the 11th March. In one of those statements it was pointed out that when the four men came up to the young fellows, one of them said, "Where are the guns? Where are the McCarthys' guns to-night?" The statement then pointed out that one of the four men struck one of the young fellows across the mouth and he fell. The statement proceeds:—"I then received a third blow while on the ground, and I recognised the man as being the man who searched me at my brother's house in company with the local sergeant a short time ago." Now, there is one member of the Detective Division who has been definitely recognised as the individual who searched this boy at his brother's house a month previously. Surely the Superintendent would not have any trouble in finding out who the detective was who visited and searched this house in company with the local sergeant. Another of the young fellows stated: "I would know the man definitely again if I saw him." One of the detectives has been definitely identified, and that removes any suggestion that this was the result of a drunken row, as the Minister tries to insinuate.
The Minister might state that a long time elapsed before any action was taken, but I may inform him that I used every endeavour possible to get this matter inquired into by the local police authorities before I brought it up here. I went to the Superintendent and asked for an identification parade of the C.I.D. to enable the boys to identify those who committed the assault. If it were a case of civilians assaulting each other, I am sure it would not be long until the local barrack would be packed with civilians, and identification parades would be held in order to pick out the wanted men. I do not think any Deputy can stand over such conduct as I have indicated. Members of the Detective Division jump out of their private motor-car and assault men on the road. In fact one of the detectives who assaulted these boys drove the boy who was unconscious to the North Infirmary afterwards in the car out of which they jumped before the assault was committed. The Minister stated that the young men had every opportunity of seeing the Guards and identifying them, as the Guards were in the village. But the Guards in the village did not commit the assault. There is a special gang carrying on this conduct repeatedly in the district. It is the Detective Division members, and not the local Guards, who are responsible.
The local Superintendent informed me that he had communicated with the authorities and was awaiting a reply. He said that on 11th April. The occurrence took place on the 10th March. Such conduct would not be tolerated in any force that has any idea of discipline. The Minister might say that these young men should take action in the courts. What would be the result of a prosecution? Even if the detectives were found, would there be any result? The detectives who were decreed in Waterford are still in the force, in this disciplined body of which the Minister is so proud. There was another case in Midleton where a detective was fined twice for assaults, and he is still carrying on detective work there. This is the disciplined force which we are told cannot do wrong.
If the Minister is so certain that the detective division was not implicated in this, I am quite ready to give him a fair chance of testing it. Let the three Cumann na nGaedheal representatives from that constituency constitute themselves a court of inquiry. I am quite satisfied to abide by their verdict, so certain am I the case can be proved to the hilt. The Minister on the last occasion said he would continue making inquiries. I would like to know the result of the inquiries. I know that two of the individuals concerned in the assault have since been transferred—afraid of identification, perhaps. The Superintendent in that district knows very well the four detectives who came into it that night. He would have no trouble in placing them. Is he afraid to hold this identification parade in order to enable the young men to identify those who assaulted them? The young men are told to go to the courts, but going to the courts is of very little use, and it costs money. These unfortunate boys are not enjoying lucrative salaries like other people. I would like to hear from the Minister whether he is prepared to institute such a court of inquiry as I have suggested, a court of inquiry which will consist of the three Cumann na nGaedheal elected representatives for the constituency. I am quite satisfied to leave it in their hands absolutely.
