asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the reasons why the houses of the following, among others, in the Ballinasloe district, were visited and searched by members of the Gárda Síochána during the week ending Saturday, October 7th, 1931: Mr. P. Beegan, Oatfield, Cappataggle; Mrs. Nowlan, Cloghagulla, Aughrim; Mr. Mat Bowes, Eastwell, Cappataggle; Mr. Mat Hughes, Killure, Ahascragh; Mr. Ed. Quinlan, Lowville, Ahascragh.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Visits by Gárda.
None of the houses mentioned in the question were searched during the week ending the 7th October last. These houses were, however, visited by the Gárda Síochána for the purpose of making inquiries concerning certain persons who were suspected of crime.
I should like to ask the Minister whether he considers these searches are consistent with the statement made by the President when considering an amendment to the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, that no law-abiding citizen need have any worry or anxiety; and also whether he considers that there is no bias shown by searching the houses of people whose sole political activity is confined to support the Fianna Fáil organisation? I met the people whose houses these Guards visited and they told me that the Guards went through the houses. I should like, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to state that considering their disagreeable duty the Guards showed every consideration and courtesy and insisted upon members of the household going through the rooms with them. Whether the Minister calls that a search or a visit I do not know.
The statement made by the President that no law-abiding person need have any fear was a perfectly accurate statement.