asked the Minister for Justice whether he will state the reason, if any, for the raid on the house of John Murray, Mount Uniacke, Killeagh, on Saturday, 15th February, at 11.30 p.m.; whether he is aware that it is alleged that two members of the Detective Division of the Gárda Síochána acted in a most brutal manner to the occupants; that Mr. Murray's son, who was under doctor's care was dragged outside the house and threatened with assault, and that one of the detectives used obscene language to Mr. Murray's daughter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Detectives' Conduct in Co. Cork.
The house of John Murray, Mount Uniacke, Killeagh, in which his son Thomas Murray resides, was searched on the 15th instant, at 11.30 p.m., for firearms under the authority of a search warrant duly issued, the Gárda Síochána having reason to believe that Thomas Murray had firearms in his possession. I was not aware until the receipt of the Deputy's question that there were any allegations against the police as regards the manner in which the search was conducted, and I know of nothing to support the allegation. I am not aware that Thomas Murray aforesaid, son of John Murrary, was under the doctor's care. There is no foundation for the allegation that he was dragged outside the house and threatened with assault. Neither am I aware that the police party, or any member thereof, used obscene language to Mr. Murray's daughter, but I am aware that Mr. Murray's daughter, whose room was not amongst those searched, got up voluntarily during the course of the search for the purpose of subjecting the search party to abusive language.
A humbugging kind of smile.
Is the Minister aware that one of these detectives has been twice convicted and fined in the District Court for assault, and does he consider that such a person is a proper individual to go into any man's house in the middle of the night, drag a man who has been under doctor's care outside, and threaten to assault him?
The answer to the first part of the supplementary question is in the negative and the answer to the second part is that the young man was not pulled out.
That is denied.
asked the Minister for Justice whether he will state the reason for a raid on the house of Timothy Mulcahy, Kilcounty, Killeagh, Co. Cork, on Sunday, 16th February, 1930; if he is aware that the raid took place at 1.30 a.m. and occupied two hours; if he is aware it is alleged that two Detective Officers of the Gárda Síochána acted in a most uncivil manner, upsetting furniture, fittings, etc., and whether it is the policy of his Department that persons against whom no charge is preferred should be subjected to such attacks in the dark hours of a winter's night.
The house of Timothy Mulcahy, Kilcounty, Killeagh, County Cork, was searched on the 16th instant for firearms under the authority of a search warrant duly issued. The search was begun at 1 a.m. and occupied about 40 minutes. I was not aware until the receipt of the Deputy's question of any allegations against members of the Gárda Síochána. I find myself unable to make any observation on the last part of the Deputy's question which appears to me to be rhetorical.
Does the Minister think 1.30 in the morning a proper hour to raid any house for firearms? Would he not think the period from 6.30 in the morning until 8 at night, in which at present there is daylight, a proper time to conduct these raids, if they are necessary? Would he not think that time long enough without going into a man's house at 1.30 in the morning to drag him out of bed in order to commit assaults and to carry on blackguardism in the middle of the night which they would be afraid to carry on in daylight? Does the Minister deny that the property in this man's house was damaged by these two detectives and does he still persist in denying that one of these men was twice convicted of assault and fined in his own courts?
The day may be long enough but the night is more suitable. None of the property in this house was disturbed.
Is the Minister going to afford these people any protection against these raids or will they have to protect themselves?
Would the Minister consider having this question also raised at a Cumann na nGaedheal Party meeting?
The Deputy is too obscure for me to follow him.
You know quite well what I am referring to.
I wish to give notice that I intend to raise this matter on the adjournment to-night.