asked the Minister for Justice if he will state whether he is aware that on the occasion of a cattle sale at Tallow, County Waterford, on the 7th August a Press photographer was prevented by armed members of the special branch of the Gárda Síochána in plain clothes from taking photographs; and if he will state what is the authority for this interference with a representative of the Press.
Private Notice Question. - Alleged Interference with Press Photographer.
I understand that on the occasion in question the officer in charge of the Gárda Síochána, believing that the taking of photographs would lead to a breach of the peace, directed a Press photographer not to take photographs and instructed the Guards to enforce that direction.
Am I to understand from the Minister in reference to the statement made in the Cork Examiner that the intimation that was conveyed to the photographer was made by the officer in charge of the Gárda Síochána present on the occasion, and not by a plain clothes member of the special branch of the Gárda Síochána?
Would the Minister say who were the individuals who would have broken the peace on the occasion if a photograph was taken?
The Blueshirts.
Is the Minister aware that the statement was made in the Cork Examiner that the notification was made to the Press photographer by a detective in plain clothes, and not, as the Minister says, by the officer in charge of the Gárda Síochána?
I have given an answer to the question.
If the Minister implies that the statement is incorrect and that the notification was made by the officer in charge of the Gárda Síochána, are we to understand that it is possible that on public occasions such as the one at Tallow, an officer of the Gárda Síochána may interfere with the operations of Press photographers?
The police are entitled to, and will, under all circumstances, take the necessary steps to prevent any particular action that they are satisfied is going to lead to a breach of the peace.
Does the Minister think for one moment that such an excuse as that holds water?
Will the Minister say if any occurrence of this kind has happened, say, within the last two or three years, and if not, will the Minister say whether he proposes to make a communication to editors of the Press in the country notifying them of what may happen in these cases? The Minister, I submit, will understand that if Press photographers are going to be approached by persons who appear to have no authorisation and who are not responsible officers in uniform he is simply inviting in a provocative way breaches of the peace.
Would the Deputy put the point of his question?