asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that Councillor Miss Hartland was forcibly removed by the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána from the council chamber of the Cobh Urban District Council on two occasions; and, if so, under what authority such action was taken.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cobh Urban District Council: Removal of Councillor.
14.
I have informed Councillor Miss Hartland that the efforts of the Garda Síochána in this matter were directed throughout in the interests of the public peace and in preventing a threatened breach thereof. As she has indicated that she is considering the question of instituting legal proceedings against the Superintendent and as the main point at issue in such proceedings would necessarily be whether the action of the Garda Síochána was justifiable in law, I am of opinion that any further comment by me would be undesirable.
Will the Minister indicate in what way Councillor Miss Hartland was guilty of a breach of the peace?
I do not desire to enter into any discussion on that subject at the moment but the Deputy is fully aware himself of the reasons why the lady was removed.
The Minister has not answered the question he was asked. Deputy McAuliffe requested information as to the authority on which the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána removed an elected representative of the people of Cobh from the council chamber of the Cobh Urban District Council. We maintain that there was no justification at all for that action and we want the Minister to answer in this House.
The Minister has said that the matter will find its way into the Courts. In those circumstances, it is undesirable that the matter should be discussed.
There are no court proceedings.
There are no court proceedings pending and some of the people in Cobh believe that this is a conspiracy between some of the council representative and others down there to belittle the efforts of this rather formidable and forceful representative of her constituents.
The Deputy may ask a question. The Deputy is making charges.
Paying tributes.
With all due respect to your ruling, Sir, the Minister has been asked a question by Deputy McAuliffe, which he has not answered. I want to know from the Minister under what Section or subsection of any Act of Parliament the Superintendent took this action against Councillor Miss Hartland. He has no authority in law for doing so.