To ask the Minister for Home Affairs if his attention has been called to the case of 30 policemen of Limerick City, who were organised at the suggestion of the Merchants of Limerick some months ago for the protection of the City, but who were taken over as a body by the Provisional Government, after a lapse of ten weeks; whether it is true that the policemen signed on from the 1st August for a period of six months, but were summarily dismissed on the 23rd September, without notice, or payment in lieu of notice; whether there was any complaint as to the manner in which they carried out their duties, or what reason was adduced for their dismissal?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - LIMERICK POLICE FORCE.
I have made enquiries into the case of the men who performed police duties in Limerick. In so far as these men were taken over by the Government the position was that they were attached to the National Reserve for which they were attested, their duties being confined to Limerick City and being more or less of a police nature. When they signed on for six months they were accepted not specifically as members of a police force but as part of the National Reserve. They were not dismissed, but on the arrival of the Civic Guard in Limerick it was found unnecessary and undesirable to have two sets of men performing police duties and the services of the members of the National Reserve as policemen were discontinued. No complaints were made as to how the men performed their duties, and as a matter of fact their services were appreciated, and they acted as peace officers with a considerable amount of success. If these men were suitable for the Civic Guard and fulfilled the appropriate conditions they would be taken into the Civic Guard. I presume that those of them who are not suitable for the Civic Guard may continue to serve in the National Reserve for which they have attested.