asked the Minister for Justice whether he will state: (a) if the yacht, "Gracie Blue," was arrested by the Garda authorities; (b) if its departure from Castletownberehaven was illegal; (c) who is Nicholson and what are his present whereabouts; and (d) whether the Minister is satisfied that no illegal purpose was served by the movements of this yacht and its owners while in Irish jurisdiction.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - The “Gracie Blue.”
(a) At the time of its departure from Castletownbere on the 28th October, 1947, the yacht "Gracie Blue" was not under arrest by the Gardaí. After it had left, however, a warrant was issued for the arrest of its apparent owner, William L. Nicholson, on a charge of obtaining goods from a local shopkeeper by means of a worthless cheque. (b) So far as I am aware, the departure was not illegal. (c) I have no information regarding Nicholson or his present whereabouts additional to what is contained in the Press reports, but police inquiries are being pursued in connection with the execution of the warrant of arrest. (d) As a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Nicholson I think it would be undesirable for me to say anything in reply to this part of the question.
Will the Minister say if it is correct that naval units under the control of the Government sought to apprehend this yacht after it left Castletownberehaven and, if its departure was in no way illegal, why were naval units employed in any attempt to intercept it?
Mr. Boland
I am not responsible for the Navy, so I cannot deal with that.
Am I to understand that the Minister is not aware of any attempt by forces under the control of the Government to intercept this yacht?
Mr. Boland
I was not asked that question. I have answered the question the Deputy put. I cannot answer for another Department.
If the yacht was not guilty of any illegality, presumably the forces of the State would not be used for an act of piracy—interference with it on the high seas. If it had been guilty of an illegality, it would be proper for the naval resources of the State to be employed in an attempt to detain it inside the three-mile limit.
We assume that everything is done regularly until we find the opposite.
On that assumption I am asking the Minister if he caused the Defence authorities to be informed that an illegality had taken place and that this vessel should be apprehended. Did he?
Mr. Boland
I have not been asked that question.
I am asking you now.
Mr. Boland
I cannot answer it now —ask it again.