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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Monday, 18 Sep 1922

Vol. 1 No. 6

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - CARLOW POST OFFICE SUSPENSION.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the suspension of Padraig O Catháin, of Carlow Town Post Office; if so, whether he will state what was his offence and by whom was the suspension carried out, and whether it is a fact that the officer responsible acts in turn as a postal official and as a military officer; and whether the fact that the suspended employee acted as Director of Elections on behalf of the Labour Candidate for the constituency of Carlow and Kilkenny was in any way responsible for his suspension; also, whether many similar suspensions have taken place, and, if so, how many, and on what charges, and whether they will be given an opportunity to answer the charges if any, which have led to their suspension.

This officer was suspended from duty for misappropriation of official cash, by an officer of the Post Office Investigation Department, acting under my I authority. The Post Office solicitor is at present considering evidence in the case with a view to a prosecution in the courts. I was not aware until the Deputy mentioned it that this officer had taken any part in politics at the recent election.

May I ask as a supplementary question whether the gentleman who suspended Mr. O'Kane has, in the first instance, asked him to put down in writing whether he had any association with the Irregulars, and Mr. O'Kane having given an answer and that not having been deemed satisfactory by the gentleman who carried out his suspension whether he put a further question, whether he had any connection with the Irregulars or not, and Mr. O'Kane having replied "No," not having got him on that point, he then paid attention to some work which Mr. O'Kane was performing at the time, making up accounts, and when a few shillings was found short, not having deemed that sufficient to make a case out of, he then enquired into another case of its kind which had occurred previously. If I be in order I wish to say that I should like to put down a special question in connection with that, since I have a written signed statement by Mr. O'Kane to that effect. I think the question might be dealt with more satisfactorily by a statement than by merely asking a question.

I agree that a general statement of that kind is not advisable. I think it would be better if the facts were put down.

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