Vol. 259 No. 15
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of any incursions by British troops into the Republic at Douskey, County Monaghan on Sunday, 19th March, 1972; and of reports that live bullets, CS gas and rubber bullets were fired by British troops at people assembled on the Republic side of the Border at Mullanahinch; and if he has made any representations to the British authorities with regard to this matter.
4.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of a confrontation on the Border on 19th March, 1972; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
Detailed reports of the incidents at the border on the 19th March have been studied. I am satisfied that gas canisters, smoke bombs and bullets were fired across the border by British troops and I am further satisfied that British troops crossed the border into the South on a number of occasions that day. A protest has been lodged with the British authorities and it has once more been pointed out to them that incidents of this nature are a direct result of their ill-advised policy of road cratering.
