asked the Minister for Defence if he will explain the circumstances in which Press reporters were excluded from an inquest at St. Bricin's Military Hospital on Saturday, 17th February.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exclusion of Press from Inquest.
The exclusion of Press reporters from the inquest proceedings in St. Bricin's Military Hospital on Saturday, 17th February, was not due to the issue by the military authorities of any specific order in that regard. In fact, all arrangements, including seating accommodation for the Press, were made as required by direction from the coroner's office. The inquest was timed to commence at 12 noon. It commenced at 12.15 p.m. and concluded at 12.40. The reporters arrived at 12.25, but the orderly (a private soldier), who had directions not to allow the court to be disturbed, directed them to a waiting room and neither the coroner nor the officer commanding the hospital was aware of their presence.
The misunderstanding is regretted and steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence.