asked the Minister for Justice whether the home of Maurice Crowe, of Glenbane, Lattin, County Tipperary, a Fianna Fáil organiser, was visited and searched on the 18th February, 1931, and other dates, by five members of the Detective Division of the Gárda Síochána; whether his correspondence with the Fianna Fáil Executive and various branches of the organisation in Tipperary was searched by the members of the Detective Division; and whether the members of the Detective Division had instructions to make those searches or read those documents.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Search of Co. Tipperary House.
Mr. Hayes
The house in question was searched on the date mentioned, under a warrant, on suspicion that firearms were illegally kept there. No correspondence was read.
Will the Minister say what ground he had for thinking that there were firearms kept there?
It was thought that it was likely to be a place in which firearms would be kept and, in consequence, it was searched.
Will the Minister state what authority he has for saying that no correspondence was read?
I have the authority of my informants. I imagined the Deputy would be aware of that.
If Mr. Crowe definitely states, and can get members of his family to prove, that the Guards did not search for arms at all, but devoted all their time to reading correspondence relating to the Fianna Fáil Organisation, will they be subjected to any disciplinary penalty?
I do not believe that any of the correspondence was read. I do not deal with hypothetical situations, and I know the value of the information that the Deputy usually has at his disposal.
Will the Minister make inquiry of the people who can give him the information as to whether or not the allegation made in the question is correct?
I have myself made inquiries from the Gárda, and am satisfied with the truth of their information.
Is the Minister not aware that members of the Gárda are using their position to get information about the Fianna Fáil Party for the benefit of the Cumann na nGaedheal Party?
I know that that statement is entirely without foundation.
I know well it has plenty of foundation.