asked the Minister for Justice the authority under which persons were prevented from billposting on a private hoarding at College Green, Dublin on 30th April last; and if it is proposed to invoke this authority to prevent similar occurrences in future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Billposting on Dublin Hoarding.
12.
The persons in question were about to post bills on a hoarding owned by the corporation and were warned that it was an offence under the Dublin Police Act, 1842, to affix a bill there without the consent of the corporation.
The action of the Garda on the occasion was in accordance with normal practice.
I would beg to differ from the Minister as to its being a hoarding belonging to Dublin Corporation. Firstly, it was a private hoarding and, secondly, if this is to continue, does he intend to impose the same fines on political Parties and other groups who carry out billposting? If so, has he any authority to institute proceedings against political Parties? Why is he victimising one small group? I think it is unjustified and his action was completely wrong.
It was a hoarding owned by Dublin Corporation. It has nothing to do with political Parties and would apply to anybody caught in the act of erecting a bill by a Garda officer.
Firstly, the Minister is making a statement to the effect that it is a hoarding owned by Dublin Corporation which I know it is not. Secondly are the Garda generally allowed to take action against other people?
In the normal course of duty, if a garda finds anybody erecting bills on a hoarding of this kind, then those particular people are arrested.
Would the Minister say if this is the first prosecution of its kind in this place?
Indeed, it is not. It has happened on quite a number of occasions. It is a question of abetting defacement of public property.