asked the Minister for Defence if on 14th June, 1963 four members of the Defence Forces of the 2nd Garrison, Supply and Transport Corps, were court-martialled for minor army offences, and were awarded punishment for the offences of which they were found guilty; if it is a fact that after the trial the Commanding Officer decided to give them further punishment by having the four soldiers immediately transferred to the Curragh Camp for one month, and that, when the lorry transporting them arrived at the Curragh, they were missing; if they will now be posted as deserters; if he will cause fuller enquiry to be made into this matter; and if he will make a detailed statement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Courtsmartial.
47.
On 14 Meitheamh, 1963, four men of the 2nd Garrison Company, Supply and Transport Corps, were tried summarily by their commanding officer on a charge of absence without leave. They were found guilty and were awarded punishment, viz., fines. After the trial they were being sent on attachment for the period 14 Meitheamh, 1963, to 21 Meitheamh, 1963, to the Curragh Training Camp but when the lorry conveying them arrived at the Camp they were missing. Three of them have since returned to their unit. Two of these have been tried by their commanding officer on a charge of absence without leave and have been awarded seven days' detention each. The position of the third is under consideration.
The position of the fourth man will depend on whether or not he returns and if he does so, on the period of his absence.
I am having this matter fully investigated.
Would the Minister say if it is an encouragement to young men to join the Forces to be treated in the manner in which those young men were treated when after being punished for their offences, they were re-punished by the commanding officer?
I think the Deputy is pre-judging the issue. I am having it examined.
Is it clear whether they fell out of the lorry or jumped out of it?
I am having the matter investigated.
Could the Minister say if it was in the normal course of duty they were transferred to the Curragh or was it as an afterthought as some extra punishment——
I am not going to add anything to the last sentence I said. I am having the matter fully investigated.
I have asked a question which has no bearing whatever on the outcome of the Minister's examination and I think I should get a more civil reply.
The reply is quite civil. I cannot give any more information than that last sentence.
Is it a fact that the commanding officer said that the punishment meted out at the courtmartial was insufficient and that when the courtmartial was over, he decided to punish them in his own way and made that known to them immediately afterwards. He said: "I will deal with you as I think fit." Surely the Minister should safeguard ordinary soldiers against treatment of this kind.
The Deputy is making a statement.
I am asking if the Minister's investigation has revealed that to be the case?
I have no more information than I have read out. As I told the Deputy, I am having the matter fully investigated and I cannot add anything to that.
May I ask the Minister if there is a further question in, say, a fortnight he will give more information then?
I shall have to get the information first. I am looking for it.