I beg to ask the President a question, of which I have given him private notice:—Whether he is aware that an official report from the National Army Headquarters, published in the newspapers of the 8th March, announced that troops from Tralee had taken a number of prisoners out from that town and required them to remove a barricade from the road at Ballyseedy Bridge, and that while this was being done, three soldiers were wounded and eight prisoners were killed by the explosion; whether his attention has been called to the statement purported to be made by one of these prisoners who escaped denying the truth of the official account and making most serious allegations as to the cause of the death of the prisoners; whether any inquest has been held upon the death of these prisoners; and whether he will agree to the holding of an open inquiry into the circumstances surrounding this case.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - TRALEE MINE EXPLOSION (DEATHS OF PRISONERS).
The question is not one for me. The Minister for Defence is responsible for Army matters, and he will answer the question.
I am aware of the official report referred to, and yesterday had my attention drawn to the statement alleged to have been made by one of the prisoners. I cannot at present say if an inquest has been held, but I am taking immediate steps to institute an inquiry into the circumstances.
Will it be possible to have some public statement as a result of the inquiry, whether it be an inquest or an open inquiry of another kind if the time for an inquest is past?
I cannot undertake to make any statement on that matter until I have had the inquiries I have asked for.