asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the fact that Mr. John Rawl, Drumnacross, Moatefarrel, County Longford, an allottee of a parcel of land from the Land Commission on the McDowell Estate, Drumnacross, County Longford, was summoned by the Ballinalee Fianna Fáil Club to attend a meeting of the club at Ballinalee on Wednesday night, April 18th, 1934, to hear the views of the members on his acceptance and signing of a provisional agreement to purchase the said allotment, and that intimidatory statements were made to him by the members present at the meeting to compel him to surrender his allotment; and, if so, if he will state what action he intends to take in the matter; and, if not, if he will cause inquiries to be made and action taken to prevent a recurrence of such conduct.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alleged Intimidation of Allottee.
I have had careful inquiries made into the matters referred to in the question and I am satisfied that nothing has occurred which would call for police action.
Is the Minister aware of the fact that Mr. Rawl was summoned before the Fianna Fáil Club, that he went there, and that statements were made to him to compel him to surrender this allotment which the Land Commission had given him?
My information is that the police, after making these inquiries, had no evidence on which they could base a charge of either intimidation or threats. That is the report made to me.
Is the Minister's position then that Fianna Fáil clubs can carry out intimidation and threats without any interference by him as long as they are not admitted by the police?
I said there was no evidence that would call for police action.
This is a very important matter. My information is that Mr. Rawl was summoned before the club, that he attended and that statements were made to him at the meeting. And outside a statement has been made that lead would be used. That would be an extraordinary state of affairs. Mr. Rawl is prepared to give whatever information is necessary to the Guards.
He has been interviewed by the Guards and the statements taken from him are not in accordance with the Deputy's suggestion.
I have another one here.