asked the Minister for Finance whether he received correspondence from Mr. James Mortell, London, formerly proprietor of the Central Hotel, Tralee, in reference to his claim for losses sustained by him during the Anglo-Irish War and the Civil War; whether he is aware that out of a sum of £2,520 claimed by Mr. Mortell for losses due to the activities of the British forces, he received only one payment of £500 which he accepted under duress; whether his claim for food supplied to the I.R.A. has been rejected; whether he is further aware that owing to his inability to recover moneys due to him, Mr. Mortell lost his business; and whether, in view of his service to the national movement from 1914 onwards and the losses in which it involved him, steps will be taken to pay Mr. Mortell the balance of his claim in order to enable him to restart his business in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tralee Compensation Claim.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Mr. Mortell's claim against the British Government formed the subject of legal proceedings in London, which were settled out of court by the payment of a sum which Mr. Mortell agreed to accept, and the matter cannot now be reopened. The claim for food supplied to the I.R.A on Mr. Mortell's premises does not come within the provisions of the Damage to Property (Compensation) Acts, 1923-1933. There are no funds at my disposal out of which any payment could be made to Mr. Mortell, whether for the purpose indicated in the concluding part of the question or otherwise.