asked the Minister for Defence if a military service certificate has been granted to Thomas Patridge, Bohermore, Ardagh, Longford; if not, if he will state the grounds on which such certificate was refused; if he will state the date upon which a military service medal was issued to him; and also, the amount of disability pension granted to him for disability contracted on active service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Service Certificate.
Thomas Patridge, Bohermore, Ardmore, Ardagh, County Longford, was refused a certificate of military service because the Referee reported that he is not a person to whom the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, applies. An appeal against the findings of the Referee was considered in May, 1944, and in the light of the additional evidence submitted, I requested the Referee to review his report. The Referee on review confirmed his original findings. A further appeal was made by Mr. Patridge, but the evidence submitted by him did not warrant the reopening of his claim.
Mr. Patridge applied for a service medal subsequent to the 31st December, 1946, the latest date for receipt of applications. His claim has been noted and will be investigated when the necessary amending legislation has been enacted.
Mr. Patridge is in receipt of a disability pension of 10s. 6d. per week.
Is the Minister aware that this person was tried by courtmartial for having a revolver; that this person, when captured by the Auxiliaries, was tortured with a redhot iron, doused in water on several occasions and was the subject of one of the greatest acts of cruelty ever inflicted on a human being; that he was imprisoned from February, 1921, until December, 1921, and that he is now in receipt of the magnificent disability pension of 10s. 6d? Will the Minister say why that person's application for a service certificate did not include the granting of a medal? I would like to know if the Minister is further aware that on the last Military Services Pensions Estimate I was informed that an application for a military service pension of that nature also included an application for a medal and that therefore the application for the medal could not be considered late?
Of course, I can only rely on the information which has been given to me and which I presume is accurate. Neither the Deputy nor myself could undertake to examine cases which the Referee has examined. I presume he had all the necessary evidence before him at that examination. As I pointed out in my reply, this man made an appeal which I allowed and forwarded to the Referee. That appeal was also examined and, even in respect of the additional evidence, the Referee still found the Act did not apply to him. I take it the same would apply to the disability pension. The disability pension is awarded by a board which consists of military and civil personnel. There again I cannot intervene.
Surely the Minister is responsible to this House to see that justice is done in a case of this type? The Minister is not attempting to contradict the statement I made. It is a statement which I can make on oath, if necessary. The facts are as I have stated, and surely it is the Minister's duty to see that a person unable, because of the service he rendered and the hardships he underwent, to make a case, is treated justly. The Minister is bound to see that justice is done in a case of that type.