asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the number of cases of breach of licensing laws which have been recorded as a result of prosecutions by the Gardaí at Mount Bolus, Tullamore, Offaly, and furnish the names of the alleged offenders and also state the number of cases which have been brought to the local courts for breach of the Shops (Hours of Trading) Order and names of the alleged offenders in this area since 1944.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Breaches of Licensing Laws.
From 1st January, 1944, to date there were 11 prosecutions by the Gardaí at Mount Bolus, Offaly, under the Licensing Acts. There were no prosecutions under the Shops (Hours of Trading) Act. I am not prepared to state the names of the persons who were prosecuted.
Is it not a fact that the prosecutions were mostly against the one trader who refused to entertain an account with the sergeant of the local Guards? In view of the information concerning the names of the people who have been prosecuted, is the Minister now prepared to instruct the Commissioner to remove this man from that area?
I am not aware of any such thing. There is only one public-house where the person is resident on the premises.
That is Mr. Finlay.
I do not know. The other two public-houses are generally closed up to time.
One public-house is frequently visited and the other two are never visited by the sergeant. That is simply because he would not entertain an account.
If the Deputy has any information on which to make an allegation——
I gave it to the Minister in writing, a written statement by Hugh Mullen, of Mountbolus.
The Deputy asked questions and should not be making charges as a supplementary.