asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state whether he has, or has sought any information concerning the disappearance and reported capture by Korean Communists of Rt. Rev. Monsignor Quinlan, Rt. Rev. Monsignor Brennan, Rev. Philip Crosbie, Rev. John O'Brien, Rev. Thomas Cusack, Rev. J. Maguire and Rev. Patrick O'Reilly, Irish missionaries in Korea, and whether, in order to attempt to allay the general anxiety regarding the safety of these and other Irish nationals, he will make a statement in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Missionaries in Korea.
I regret to have to state that I have no information regarding the Irish missionaries who have been reported missing in Korea. When the news of their disappearance was published I immediately asked the Indian Government, through their Ambassador, to use their good offices to endeavour to obtain news of these Irish citizens.
The difficulty of obtaining information must not, however, be underestimated, in view of the fact that India is not represented in North Korea. It must, unfortunately, be anticipated that, even if it is possible to obtain news, it is likely to take some considerable time.