asked the Minister for Defence why Mr. J.J. Campbell, Ballyarra, Castlelyons, County Cork, was not granted an I.R.A. medal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork I.R.A Medal Applicant.
23.
On the evidence obtained during the investigation of his claim, it was not established that the person referred to is eligible for the award of the Service (1917-1921) Medal without Bar.
The Minister will appreciate that the practice I have followed in this instance of mentioning the name and address of the person concerned is most unusual. I have no doubt the Minister will appreciate that I did not do so without very grave reason. I should like to ask the Minister, in view of his reply, if at any time he made inquiries from the only man who can give real evidence in this case, the commanding officer of the man in question, as to whether in his opinion this man was entitled to a medal? I understand the commanding officer now lives outside the country.
All the officers of the unit to which the applicant claimed to belong were asked for their comments. They were asked to verify or otherwise.
I have no doubt that the Minister knows that this man, Mr. Campbell, is a retired Sergeant of the Garda Síochána. Since he has applied to the Department of Defence for something they say he is not entitled to, he feels it will interfere with his pension from the Department of Justice.
That is an entirely separate matter.
Did he not make application for something to which he was not entitled?
Mr. Boland
What has that to do with his pension?
Naturally, the Department of Justice and the Department of Defence must be allied. Will he be victimised in regard to his pension as a retired Garda Sergeant because he made application for something to which the Minister said he was not entitled?
I would not think so.
The Deputy is dealing with separate matters.
Would you not agree they are relevant, Sir?
Can I get an assurance from the Minister for Justice that this man will not be victimised?
I am concerned only with the Question on the Order Paper.