asked the Minister for Justice to state the reasons why the two Guards, Delea and Frawley, stationed at Stradbally, Co. Waterford, on 25th December, 1929, were dismissed from the Force; and whether, before being charged with the murder of Laurence Griffin, they had supplied any information to the Superintendents at that time stationed at Dungarvan or at Tramore, and what was the substance of such statements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Missing Postman Case.
The Guards referred to were dismissed because they were considered unfit for retention in the Force by reason of their failure to give proper assistance in the investigations into the disappearance of Laurence Griffin. As these investigations have not yet been completed I am not prepared to disclose the statements made by these men to their Superior Officers in relation to this matter. I may add that Guard Frawley was not charged with murder.
Will the Minister say whether any other Guards from that area were dismissed at the same time?
The whole station party.
Could the Minister state where they were on the night of 25th December, 1929?
They were in different places. That is about the only answer I can give.
Has the Minister got the full facts as to that night?
Of course I have seen all the statements which any member of the station party has made.
asked the Minister for Justice to state what steps have been taken to find the chief witness for the State, Fitzgerald, in the recent trial for the murder of Laurence Griffin; and whether, since his disappearance, he is or has been at any time detained in any barracks or in the Depot of the Gárda Síochána.
Fitzgerald's present address is known to the Gárdaí. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
Might I ask the Minister whether he is aware that there never was a trial for the murder of Laurence Griffin and that informations were refused at the preliminary investigation by the District Justice?
Yes, the Deputy is quire correct.
asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that there is grave public dissatisfaction with the manner in which investigations were conducted by the Gárda into the case of Laurence Griffin, of Stradbally, Co. Waterford, who disappeared on the 25th December, 1929; and whether, in view of the unsatisfactory results of such investigation, the Minister will now agree to the appointment of a special tribunal to be instituted, with power to call for persons, papers and documents to investigate that case.
The conduct of the police investigation in this case was marked by two regrettable incidents, viz., (1) the failure of the Gárdaí who were stationed in Stradbally at the time of Griffin's disappearance to report the matter at once and to give all possible assistance, and (2) the over-zeal of some of the members of the Gárdaí who were subsequently called in to assist in the investigation. The necessary disciplinary action has been taken in both cases. With these exceptions the investigation has been pursued over a long period with great energy and I am confident that the public realise that the lack of success up to the present is not due to any fault on the part of the Gárdaí. As regards the second part of the question, the answer is in the negative. I do not see what useful purpose could be served by any such tribunal unless it were armed with powers more extensive than it has been thought proper to entrust even to the highest Courts under our present judicial system, including the power to compel witnesses to give answers incriminating themselves.
Is the Minister satisfied with the conduct of the Guards in the investigation of this case?
I think in the beginning matters were carried out very badly but I think afterwards they were carried out with great zeal and skill.
Is the Minister satisfied with the slow progress being made now?
I am satisfied the Guards are doing all that it is possible to do. If the people in the neighbourhood will not come forward and give information they ought to give, the Guards are, of course, much hampered.
Is the Minister aware that there is a whole parish under the unproved charge of murder?
No, I am not.
That is the public feeling.