asked the Minister for Justice if he will state whether he has any information as to the identity of the persons who (1) organised or (2) took part in the forcible entry of the Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin, on the night of Monday, the 3rd December, and the destruction carried out there; and, if so, if he will state whether the persons guilty of these offences have been charged, and what is the position of the case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Damage to Savoy Theatre.
No person has yet been charged in connection with the incidents referred to in the question.
Is not the Minister aware that this is not the first occasion upon which an organised attack of this particular kind—organised by a body known to the Minister —has taken place, and will the Minister say what is his policy with regard to those attacks? Are they going to be allowed to continue with impunity?
Is the Minister aware that similar interference with the liberty of the subject has taken place in many parts of Ireland? Is the Government really going to stand idly by while such tyranny is exercised over private individuals?
Is the Minister aware that this is the 12th December and that this occurrence took place on the 3rd? Will he say what action has been taken in the meantime to find out who the persons were who were guilty of the offence, and who the persons were who organised it?
Everything has been done by the police to try to secure a conviction.
Is the position that no one is going to be identified or charged in connection with organising this action or carrying it out?
That does not arise. I have said that the police are making all necessary investigations to try and secure information which will lead to the prosecution and conviction of those people.
Is the Minister aware that the impunity with which attacks of this particular kind were carried out in the past invities and encourages those attacks now, and that there is not only resultant disturbance to the public here but some considerable loss, which will have to be borne by the ratepayers of the City of Dublin? When will the Minister be able to make a statement as to what is his policy and what are his intentions with regard to the people who organise and encourage those attacks?
The Deputy knows it is not confined to Dublin.
Am I right in understanding the Minister to say that if the attackers are identified they will be prosecuted?
Certainly.