asked the Minister for Justice if he will state whether in the Strokestown district of Roscommon the Gárda Síochána recently discovered a rifle hidden in a hay shed and whether any persons have been charged with its unlawful possession, and if so, if he will state who have been so charged; whether they have been summoned before the courts; whether they have attended and recognised the jurisdiction of the courts and whether they have been found guilty, and if so, what sentence has been imposed and whether the terms of the sentence have been fulfilled.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Possession of Rifle.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the affirmative. Both the occupiers of the premises upon which the rifle was found were proceeded against under the provisions of the Firearms Act, 1925. One of these persons was acquitted and the other, who did not attend the court, was convicted and fined 10/-. The weapon was ordered to be forfeited. A warrant was issued and has since been executed.
Will the Minister say whether special instructions have been issued to the Gárda or to District Justices that there are people of a certain class in the country who may refuse to recognise the court, when charged with having firearms and who may be excused attendance at the court and who will be fined only the sum of ten shillings?
That is a separate question.