asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that two guns surrendered by Mr. R. Woodburne, Hazelhatch, Co. Dublin, have been located, one at the Curragh and the other at Island Bridge, and whether he will give instructions to have them returned to their owner as soon as possible.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - RETURN OF SURRENDERED GUNS.
One double-barrelled fowling piece and 48 rounds of sporting ammunition registered as the property of Mr. R. Woodburne have been traced. The gun and ammunition will be returned to Mr. Woodburne on his furnishing to the Chief Ordnance Officer. Island Bridge Barracks, Dublin, the original receipt of their surrender and a police permit authorising their possession now. Notification accordingly was sent to Mr. Woodburne on the 14th December last at the address the Commons, Rathcoole. It has not been possible to trace a second gun belonging to Mr. Woodburne or an application for the return of same.
Arising out of the President's answer, I would ask him is he aware that the first gun has not been returned to Mr. Woodburne? Will the President, in view of the fact that great damage has been done by birds to crops in that part of the country, kindly see, if possible, that not only these guns are returned to this man, but that the guns will be returned to every man in that area in cases where the guns can be traced?
Of course application must be made in each instance and it depends upon the owners having a permit from the police—that is apart altogether from the difficulty of tracing these guns.
I am speaking of cases where the authorities have the guns.
Oh, yes, we will do that.