asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that Commandant E. Cronin was fired at in Thomastown, County Kilkenny, at 2 a.m. on the morning of the 6th instant and that this shooting took place at a distance of about 100 yards from where a large number of members of the Gárda Síochána were stationed, but that those Gárda made no immediate effort to discover the perpetrators of this outrage; and further if he is aware that the Superintendent in charge of the Gárda Síochána on that occasion, when requested by Commandant Cronin to take certain steps calculated to lead to the possible discovery of the perpetrators of the outrage, refused to take such action.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shooting Incident in Kilkenny.
I understand that shots were heard at the time and place mentioned in the question. The police are not, on their present information, disposed to believe that the shots were fired at Mr. Cronin. There is no ground for the suggestions of police inaction contained in the concluding parts of the question.
Is the Minister aware that the gravest suspicion attaches to two recently-recruited members of the Civic Guard as being the perpetrators of this outrage and will the Minister inform me why it was, when Commandant Cronin asked the Superintendent in charge to have the revolvers of these two men examined, the Superintendent did not take that course?
The Superintendent took the necessary steps to examine all these revolvers. I suggest to the Deputy that he should send for Commandant Cronin and give him some tips on the finessing of these stunts.
Is the Minister aware that certain of these revolvers were not examined for a very considerable period after the incident— until an opportunity was given to have them cleaned?
All these revolvers were examined at the first opportunity, and the police are perfectly satisfied that this is a frame up by Commandant Cronin.
Everybody knows that they were fired by two Broy Harriers.
Everybody knows nothing of the kind. I suggest that you do it in a better way the next time.