(Clare) asked the Minister for Justice if he will state on whose instructions the public were excluded from the council chamber of the Clare County Council by the Gárda Síochána on Monday, February 26th, 1934, and on what grounds these instructions were based.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exclusion of Public from Council Meeting.
My information is that the public generally were not excluded from the council chamber of the Clare County Council on the 26th February last. A party of 300 labourers who had marched through the streets of Ennis were excluded from the council chamber. This action was taken as the result of prior consultation between the chairman of the county council, the under-sheriff for the county, the chief superintendent of the Gárda Síochána, and officials of the county council. Subsequently, however, on the request of the chairman, the labourers were allowed to enter.
Mr. Hogan
Does the Minister suggest that the 300 labourers are not ratepayers and members of the public? Has he any information that the labourers on any occasion created any danger to the public peace or injured any public property? Further, where is the Minister for Justice?
The Minister for Justice is unwell.
Mr. Hogan
I am sorry.
The action in stopping the labourers from entering the chamber was taken after prior consultation between the chairman of the county council, the under-sheriff of the county, the chief superintendent of the Gárda Síochána and the officials of the county council. Subsequently on the request of the county council the Gárda Síochana allowed these people to enter the chamber.
Mr. Hogan
Is the Minister aware that it was only when I moved the adjournment of the county council as a mark of protest and the council agreed unanimously to adjourn, that these men were permitted to enter the chamber? On what did the chairman base his fears that there was likely to be a breach of the peace or that public property would be injured? Was it on the ipse dixit of some official?
Is it not a fact that the labourers created or threatened to create a disturbance in the council room previously?
Mr. Hogan
That is not so. That is a statement that is entirely unfounded and is a slander on the workers of the district and of that particular town.