asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that James Meehan, a known supporter of the United Ireland Party, of Tyconley, Caltra, was attacked and beaten, under cover of darkness; whether the Gárda authorities have made any arrests in connection with the attack and, if so, whether the persons arrested will be brought before the Military Tribunal.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alleged Outrages in Galway.
asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that Mr. Lawless, a known supporter of the United Ireland Party, of Ballygar, was attacked and beaten, and whether the Gárda Síochána have made any inquiries or arrests in connection with the assault.
asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that the house of Henry Goonan, Ballinkill, was fired into while a dance was in progress in the house; that Thomas Coen, who was attending the dance, was wounded; whether he is aware that Goonan and his friends were known supporters of the United Ireland Party; whether any arrests have been made, and whether any persons suspected of complicity in this offence will be brought before the Military Tribunal.
asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that Henry Mangan, Kilconly, Co. Galway, was assaulted after attending a meeting of the United Ireland Party; whether the Gárda Síochána have made any inquiries and, if so, with what result.
I propose to answer Questions 16, 17, 18 and 19, which relate to recent offences in County Galway, together.
The answer in every case is that the police are doing everything in their power to procure the necessary evidence to lead to the identification and prosecution of the guilty persons.
Mr. Brodrick
Is the Minister aware, with reference to the attack on the house of Henry Goonan, Ballinkill, that the outrage occurred three weeks ago? It was an armed outrage and is it possible that investigations have not been completed in respect of an armed outrage? Arising out of the answer with reference to Question No. 19, is it not a fact that the men arrested are to be tried by the District Court? Further, is it not well known to him that those men, on the occasion of this particular attack on Henry Mangan, a man of 73 years of age, carried arms?
In connection with these matters, I wish to know if the Minister is aware that A.C.A. men, some of whom came from Galway, took from his home at night, stripped and left naked all night and actually tore the nails off the fingers of Thomas Mannion, secretary of the Esker (Athenry) Fianna Fáil Cumann five or six months ago?
That is a completely different question.
If sufficient evidence is obtained to bring any of those offenders to trial, will the Minister undertake that the trial will be such as to provide a fair chance of justice being done?
Certainly. The object in all these cases is to endeavour to get justice done. In reply to Deputy Brodrick's supplementary question, if he has any information that will assist the police authorities they would be very glad to have it.
Will the Minister require the Deputy of his own Party who has made reference to a particularly gross outrage that has been perpetrated to his knowledge to furnish the Crimes Department of the Gárda Síochána with the information he has forthwith with a view to prosecution?
That is an entirely different question.
Arising out of the Minister's reply to the effect that outrages have been and are being investigated, am I entitled to ask him to give an undertaking to the House that when a Deputy of this House states that he has personal knowledge of a gross and bestial crime, he will be required to furnish the Gárda Síochána authorities with the evidence he has in order that the criminal to whom he refers may be prosecuted?
Criminals.
In order that the criminal or criminals may be prosecuted or that he may be shown to be a liar.
Mr. Brodrick
Is it not a fact that the Minister has given instructions that the men arrested for the beating up of Henry Mangan, Kilconly, County Galway, are to be tried in the District Court and is it not a fact also that he is aware that those men carried arms on this particular night?
If the Deputy knew anything about it, he would know that is not a matter for me. He is long enough in the House to know it and he should know that that is a matter for the law officers and not for me.
Mr. Brodrick
What I want to know is whether instructions have gone out from the Minister's Department that those men are to be tried in the District Court?
It is not a question for me. I have not sent out any instructions.
Mr. Brodrick
From the Minister's Department?
None.
The Attorney-General's Department?
When the Minister said that justice was being done, what significance did he attach to the meaning of the word "done"? I am afraid that justice is being "done" in a lot of these cases.