asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that on the 4th May, 1942, a heifer, the property of Mr. Peter Murphy, the allottee of a parcel of land on the More O'Ferrall estate (Record No. S.4078, County Kildare), was accidentally killed as a result of the alleged negligence of the employees or contractors of the Irish Land Commission; and if he will state the dates on which a claim for compensation was made by Mr. Peter Murphy, and on which a reply was sent to him; and if, in view of all the circumstances of the case and the serious loss involved to a man in Mr. Murphy's position, he will favourably reconsider the application for compensation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Killing of Heifer: Compensation Claim.
In January, 1940, Mr. Peter Murphy was allotted under purchase agreement an area 8a. 3r. 25p. in the townland of Cadamstown, on the More O'Ferrall estate. On 8th May, 1942, a claim for £18 compensation for the loss of a heifer was received from Mr. Murphy and on the 21st idem he was informed that the matter was being investigated. Mr. Murphy's solicitors wrote on his behalf on 14th December, 1942.
The Land Commission after full investigation considered they were not liable for the loss stated to have been sustained by the allottee, and decided not to pay compensation. Mr. Murphy was notified by letter to this effect on 15th December, 1942, and on the 23rd idem a copy of the letter was forwarded to his solicitors. The Land Commission are not prepared to reopen this matter.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, I understand that when Mr. Peter Murphy received the communication referred to by the Minister, the claim for compensation was statute-barred, and, on that account, will the Minister have the claim investigated again, as the loss of this heifer is a serious matter to the person concerned?
I do not think I could give that undertaking.