asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement on the Armstrong shooting in Trinity College, Dublin; if he will indicate the circumstances of same and the steps being taken to apprehend the perpetrators; and if he will outline the measures now proposed to be implemented to prevent a repetition.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trinity College, Dublin, Shooting.
24.
I regret that, as a matter of principle, I cannot undertake to make statements in the House about the details or circumstances of individual crimes. Information about the crime referred to has been widely disseminated in the news media.
I must also point out that it is quite unreal for the Deputy to ask me for a statement about the steps being taken by the Garda Síochána to apprehend the perpetrators. That is a matter for the Garda Síochána who obviously could not disclose publicly what steps they are taking in this matter.
Similarly, it is out of the question for me to make a statement of measures to be implemented to prevent a repetition. The difficulties inherent in preventive measures are obvious and any disclosure of any measures taken by the Garda would clearly detract from their effectiveness.
I have already issued a public statement in condemnation of this outrage and expressing to Mr. Armstrong on behalf of the Government my great regret that he, an invited visitor, should have suffered in this way. I take this opportunity to repeat these sentiments in the House.
I join in the condemnation of this event and the expression of sympathy to Mr. Armstrong. I would ask the Minister to clarify one point which has been reported in the media. Is it correct that Mr. Armstrong sought assurances before coming to this country on the question of security and was given those assurances?
I have no knowledge whatsoever of what the Deputy is saying.
Is the Minister aware of reports in the media to that effect?
Nobody to whom I have spoken has any knowledge of any request from Mr. Armstrong.
Can the Minister confirm or deny the authenticity of the reports in the media?
I am very definitely telling the Deputy that there was no request from Mr. Armstrong to me as Minister for Justice or, as far as I know, to the Garda Síochána, about any security arrangements.
Is the Minister aware that the report was to the effect that Mr. Armstrong, through his company British Leyland, had sought assurances in regard to his safety——
I have read the report.
The Minister knows the document?
Yes.
Then he knows what I am talking about. I am merely seeking information. Is that report correct?
I have no information to suggest that the Garda were asked to provide protection for Mr. Armstrong.
Can the Minister deny that such a request was made?
I have no knowledge of it.
The report appeared in the newspapers. Now the Minister appears to be unable or unwilling to answer, or he has not made the necessary inquiries, to tell the House if that report is correct.
I am telling the Deputy what the situation is. I cannot chase every newspaper report on any matter every day of the week.
(Interruptions.)
Can the Minister tell, from the inquiries to have made in this matter, whether British Leyland made such a request and to whom? If he has not made such an inquiry, why not?
The Deputy should know that any inquiries on security matters is conducted by the Garda Síochána and I have no information from the Garda that they were requested to provide security cover for Mr. Armstrong.
Has the Minister made inquiries from British Leyland?
The Minister has not answered my question. Given that an allegation has been made against the Garda in this matter——
There has not been an allegation made against the Garda. Is the Deputy making an allegation against them?
No. An allegation was made that the Garda were asked to provide security——
That allegation was not made.
——and they said it was not needed. Given the Minister's duty to protect the Garda from false suggestions of that kind, has he taken the necessary steps to protect the Garda by confirming with British Leyland that that allegation is incorrect?
What the Deputy is saying is totally incorrect. There was no allegation made against the Garda by anybody until now, when the Deputy made one.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.