asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that handbills were distributed in the Dublin streets on the 20th and 21st of October, inciting persons to acts of violence against persons engaged on a flag day collection for the United Ireland Party funds; and if he will state what steps were taken by the police to prevent this unlawful incitement to violence; and whether the persons guilty of the offence of distributing these handbills, or of the offence of organising their distribution, have been charged with these offences; and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Flag Day Incidents.
asked the Minister for Justice whether he will state if he has made inquiry as to the number of persons who took part in the organised violence directed against the flag-sellers for the United Ireland Party on Sunday, the 21st October, and if he will state how many persons took part in this violence, and how many of them have been charged with these offences, and with what result.
asked the Minister for Justice whether he has received a report that violent attacks were made in Dublin on 21st October on persons engaged on a flag day collection for the United Ireland Party funds, which had been duly authorised by the police authorities, and if he will state what police measures were taken to secure the flag day workers against this organised violence.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 8, and 9 together. I am aware that the holding of the recent United Ireland Party flag days gave rise to certain disorders in the City of Dublin. These disturbances took the form of isolated street scuffles which were never serious and which were prevented from developing by the police. Patrols were trebled in the centre of the city while special motor patrols were detailed to cover the outlying areas. Two persons were arrested and charged with assaulting collectors and they are at present awaiting trial.
Is the Minister proposing to ignore the question in No. 7 as to incitements on Saturday and Sunday to attack the flag sellers being circulated freely by persons throughout the city, who were not interfered with by the police and does the Minister think that incidents in the city which resulted in injuries to nine men and 10 women are incidents which are not to be regarded as serious?
I said there were no serious injuries. That is my information—that nobody was seriously injured. There were isolated attacks here and there but the police did their best to deal with the situation. With regard to the other matter which the Deputy raises, I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by instituting prosecutions in regard to those people, because I do not think they have any effect on anybody. We have been in the position that we have had to ignore incitements all over the country by people who belonged to the Deputy's Party. I do not think they had much effect.
In view of the attitude taken by the Minister, I give notice that I will raise the matter of these questions on the Adjournment.
You had better raise No. 6.