asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the extreme public disquiet arising from the present hunger strike, now in its 22nd day, of Mr. Michael Fitzgerald, Reenavanna, Doon, County Limerick, because of alleged irregularities in the manner in which cattle were taken from his home and sold for slaughter without the required presence of an inspector from his Department; if he will arrange for a re-examination of all the circumstances involved by a senior official of his Department with a view to finding a satisfactory and speedy solution to the problem and so avoid any unnecessary tragedy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Limerick Farmer's Hunger Strike.
164.
The imprisonment of the person concerned arises directly from his failure to observe a court injunction and I have no function in this respect.
As regards the operations carried out in the course of the depopulation of his herd in July 1984, veterinary inspectors of my Department were present both at the removal of the animals from the holding and at their slaughter in the factory. Members of the Garda Síochána were also present.
I have looked into all the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the depopulation of this man's herd and I am satisfied that there is no reason for a re-examination of those aspects of the case.