asked the Minister for Justice the number of offences of personation reported to the Gardaí at the referendum; the number of prosecutions; the number of people apprehended for personation at the last three elections by the Gardaí; and the number of prosecutions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Personation Offences.
35.
I am informed by the Commissioner, Garda Síochána, that allegations of personation are made rather frequently at polling booths and, when investigated on the spot by the Garda, are usually found to be unsustainable. Reports of such incidents are not ordinarily made to Garda Headquarters and particulars of them are not available.
In relation to the referendum, two persons were prosecuted and, in a third case, a prosecution has had to be deferred because of the ill-health of the person concerned. A fourth case was investigated and the law officers directed that the evidence was insufficient.
In relation to the Local Government election on 28th June, 1967, three persons were prosecuted. In seven other cases that were investigated, the law officers directed that the evidence was insufficient.
In relation to the Presidential election, three persons were prosecuted, these being the only cases that came to notice.
In relation to the 1965 general election, two persons were prosecuted. A third could not be prosecuted because of ill-health. No other cases came to notice.