asked the Minister for Justice whether on Thursday, the 8th inst., the residence of Mr. Michael Dunne, Thorncastle Street, was raided by four un-uniformed members of the Gárda Siochána; whether he is aware that on the day of the raid the funeral of a child belonging to the family had taken place, and that at the time of the raid two other children in the house were lying seriously ill with pneumonia; whether he is also aware that it is alleged that the men participating in the raid behaved in an unseemly and inconsiderate fashion, and thus occasioned pain and distress to the mother and other relatives of the children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allegation Against Gárda.
On the 8th instant, a Firearms Search Order was issued to search the premises occupied by Mrs. Catherine Dunne, 60 Thorncastle Street. The police proceeded to this house and ascertained that a family named Dunne resided in the upper portion of the house. They proceeded to the rooms occupied by the Dunne family where they met Mrs. Catherine Dunne, who informed them that she was the occupier of that portion of the house, that her married son, Michael, and his family resided with her and also her son, James, who was at that time away from home. Mrs. Dunne was informed of the object of the visit and that a search for firearms was about to be made. She then informed the police that a funeral of one of her children had just left the house. On hearing this, the police informed her that they would withdraw. They then withdrew from the house. The allegation that the police behaved in an unseemly, inconsiderate fashion is completely unfounded.
If a statement is submitted to the Minister by Mrs. Dunne to the effect that the allegations contained in the question are correct, will he hold a further inquiry?
Mr. Hogan
I think the Deputy should put down a separate question on that point.