asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that Mr. M. Mansfield, who was a Fianna Fáil candidate for County Waterford at the 1933 General Election, was conspicuous as a member of the detective force at the sale on the 7th June last at Clonmel of cattle seized from a Waterford farmer for non-payment of rates, and if he will state what was the reason for Mr. Mansfield's presence on duty on this occasion and by whose instructions he was present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clonmel Cattle Sale.
I have ascertained that the police officer mentioned in the question was present on the occasion mentioned, in the ordinary course of his duty.
Does not the Minister consider that it was entirely unnecessary and a very definite provocative action to put as a detective in a conspicuous way, at the sale of cattle of a County Waterford farmer, a person who was a Parliamentary candidate at the last election, and whose policy as such, instead of bring ing about the performance of the promises made to the farmers in County Waterford, has had an entirely reverse effect?
As the Deputy is aware, the sale took place in Clonmel, which is not the area from which this particular Gárda came. This Gárda is assigned to and has been stationed for some time in the Clonmel area, and there is no significance whatever attaching to his being present at that sale.
In view of the close proximity of Clonmel to the County Waterford, part of Clonmel being practically in Waterford, does the Minister not consider it a very undesirable thing, if further sales of this kind are going to take place, sales of cattle seized from County Waterford farmers, that such member of the police force should attend or have any duties in connection with the sales? Does he not consider that the presence of such a person is very provocative, and will he consider the desirability of transferring him to some other district?
This Gárda has been attached to that division for some time. We cannot in any way discriminate between the particular duties that may be assigned to him from time to time any more than we can in relation to the duties of other members of the Gárda.
So it is a definite plan of provocation?
Is it not usual to employ Guards from other districts?
This particular Gárda is from Waterford and where he is situated at present is in the Tipperary area.