asked the Minister for Justice if he will state whether it is correct that, as reported in the daily newspapers, Press representatives were not allowed to be present when a person charged with murder was brought before a peace commissioner at Kilcormac, County Offaly, on May 14th last, and if he will state why the provisions of the Constitution that, save in such special and limited cases as may be prescribed by law, justice shall be administered in public courts, were not complied with in this case; and if he will further state who authorised the issue of the statement to Press representatives as to what occurred at the hearing which was published in the daily newspapers of the 15th instant.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exclusion of Press.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the affirmative, to the second part that on the occasion in question nothing was done or omitted in contravention of the Constitution, and to the last part that, when the proceedings were over, a superintendent of the Garda, in reply to questions from the Press, told them what had happened.