asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that a cow, the property of Mr. A. MacDonald, Clonpaddin, Arklow, was killed by a military lorry on February 24th, 1923; whether military enquiries into the matter have been made, and if he will state the result of such enquiries, and whether, as this man is in a bad financial way owing to the loss of this cow, he will expedite payment of compensation.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - COW KILLED BY MILITARY LORRY.
I am aware that a cow, the property of Mr. McDonald, was killed by collision with a military motor-car on the 24th February, 1923. The matter was investigated by a Military Court of Inquiry, which found that the accident was caused by the cow running in front of the car, and that the driver of the car could not avoid striking the animal. An ex-gratia payment of £15 was made in the case to Mr. McDonald on the 3rd ultimo.
Is the President aware that two military witnesses admitted that the driver of the car lost control, and civilian witnesses are able to prove it? With that fact in view, would the President be prepared to reopen the question?
I will undertake to look into the case, but the evidence before me is that the cow was at fault in the matter.