asked the Minister for Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that officials from his Department ordered the confiscation of a camera film from a staff member of the "Local News" Drogheda, County Louth at the premises of Boyneside Radio, Mill Lane, Drogheda; if his attention has been drawn to the embarrassment caused to a person (details supplied) who was performing his normal job and was not in any way hindering the objective of his officials; and if he will make a statement on the affair.
Written Answers. - Drogheda (Louth) Radio Station.
37.
The incident to which the Deputy is referring took place in the course of the execution of a search warrant issued under section 8 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926, in respect of the illegal radio station known as Boyneside Radio in Drogheda.
The illegal station in question had been causing serious interference to the Garda radio network in the area, which for a period prior to the raid had been rendered effectively unusable. On the day in question the station was also causing interference to radio channels used by emergency "safety of life" services in the area.
It is most desirable that the dismantling of unfamiliar and powerful broadcasting equipment be carried out in an environment free from unnecessary distractions so as to avoid the risk of serious injury to the personnel engaged in this work. The person concerned declined to co-operate with the team carrying out the operation and it was in this environment and in the mistaken belief that the actions of the person concerned could be prejudicial to the proper execution of the search warrant and any judicial proceedings that might ensue, that the action was taken. The film was returned to the person concerned, later that day.