asked the Minister for Justice whether a store, the property of Mr. Daniel Ryan, situate in the neighbourhood of Kilrush, was destroyed in whole or in part by the use of explosives on the night of the 8th instant or morning of the 9th instant; (2) if so, whether the store on the date of such destruction was being protected by members of the Gárda Síochána; (3) if not so protected had it been previously protected and the protection withdrawn, and, if so, why; (4) have any arrests been made in connection with this outrage and whether the Minister will give any particulars thereof which he can give to the House without interfering with any investigations being made or to be made hereafter by the Gárda Síochána.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Damage to Store near Kilrush.
The answers to the several parts of the question are as follows, viz.:—(1) Considerable damage was caused to a store at Carrowreagh, near Kilrush, the property of Mr. Daniel Ryan, by an explosion, at 7.45 p.m. on the 8th November, of a bomb placed therein, the door having been forced for that purpose; (2) the store was not, at the time of the explosion, under the actual immediate or physical protection of the Gárda Síochána. It was protected in the sence that it was visited at irregular intervals by a police patrol; (3) a system of protection, during the night hours, by a party of police remaining on the spot had previously been in force but was altered about two months ago to a system of visiting patrols. The alteration was made by direction of the Commissioner of the Gárda Síochána during a visit of inspection; (4) no arrests have been made.
Might I ask the Minister was this the particular store which the Guards were protecting at the time they were assaulted, which assault led to the Kilrush Inquiry?
No. The Guards who were involved in the Kilrush Inquiry were protecting Mr. Ryan's private house.
Not this store?
No.
Is it the same Mr. Ryan who owned the property which was damaged in this case and the property which was protected by the Guards in the other case?
Yes. This Mr. Daniel Ryan has extensive and far-flung interests at Kilrush. This dispute is a legacy which I have got, as the Deputy knows. It was in existence for six months before the present Government came into power and it got out of hands. I am getting it back into hands and under control.
The way the Minister is getting it into hands is by allowing premises to be blown up.
The Deputy may remember that there were, not one, but several outrages, during the time of the previous administration.