andMr. Casey asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to a report of an assault made by a military policeman on a press photographer at Bally-cotton beach, County Cork, on 18th February in which the photographer was struck in the mouth when he attempted to take a picture of an object lying on the beach although he had not been warned by military personnel that he would not be permitted to photograph the object; whether the officer commanding the Southern Command received a telephone call from the Chairman of the Irish Council of the National Union of Journalists protesting against the assault; whether a protest in writing was made by the National Union of Journalists; what action he proposes to take in this matter; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that journalists in the performance of their duties will not be interfered with by servants of the State.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Interference with Journalists.
As the incident to which the Deputies' question relates is still the subject of certain inquiries, I am not at present in a position to reply in detail. Perhaps the Deputies would repeat the question in two weeks.
Can the Minister not say the result of the inquiries he has carried out since the date of this occurrence, 18th February? Can he give the House no report as to why a citizen going about his lawful duties was assaulted by a member of the Defence Forces? The secretary of this citizen's trade union took immediate action. Apparently, there is no indication yet as to the result of the inquiries?
As the final outcome of the military investigation is not yet available to me, I do not think it desirable that I should make any statement at this stage. I would ask the Deputies to put down another question in two weeks' time.
Very well.