asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he has seen a circular issued to members of Dáil Éireann by a person in Clonakilty who was dismissed from the post office service at Clonakilty post office and if a statement will be made to the Dáil on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dismissal of Postal Official.
I have seen the statement referred to. The allegations in the circular are a repetition of allegations brought to the notice of the Department on 28th May last. Following a comprehensive and impartial investigation by senior officers of my Department, these allegations were found to be unwarranted. Quite apart from this fact I would like to say that long before 28th May, Mr. O'Leary had several times come under serious disciplinary notice, commencing as far back as 1947, during the service of a previous postmaster. In fact, on April 30th of this year I had deemed it necessary to direct that he be given an absolutely final warning of dismissal. Despite this warning he came under serious notice in May—still before the allegations were brought to the notice of the Department—and my Department recommended to me that he be dismissed.
I am satisfied that my decision to dismiss O'Leary was entirely justified by the circumstances of his case.