To ask the Minister for Defence if it is a fact that Edward Hayes, of Cook Street, was arrested on Friday, November 17th, at the offices of the Evening Mail, for vending the Republic as well as other journals such as The Free State, to newsboys in the ordinary course of his trade as a street shopper? If any intimation had been conveyed to such vendors and newsboys that the sale of the Republic is regarded as an offence worthy of arrest without previous warning? If such arbitrary action, without notice or warning, while the sale of the Republic is permitted to be sold in the streets daily without interference, is, in his judgment, calculated to earn confidence or respect? And if in view of the fact that the said Edward Hayes is willing to enter into an undertaking not to vend the Republic in future, and of the further fact that his family has been brought to want through his arrest, he will order his immediate release.
WRITTEN ANSWER. - ARREST OF NEWS VENDOR.
It is a fact that Mr. Hayes was arrested. He was believed to be the chief distributing agent for the paper "Poblacht na hEireann." He has now been released.