asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that three bicycles, valued at £22 10s., the property of Mr. Patrick Dunne, Greenhills, Kill, Straffan, Co. Kildare, were commandeered by Adjutant Rooney, of Naas Barracks, on July 29th, 1922, and afterwards used by the military for patrol work; whether a receipt for same was given by the Adjutant, which was subsequently lost by Mr. Dunne; whether three applications for compensation were forwarded to Claims Office, from which Office he was informed that no charge could be entertained against Army Funds in respect of this claim, and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to payment of compensation.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BICYCLES COMMANDEERED.
In July, 1922, as a result of information received to the effect that a meeting of Irregulars was in progress, troops from Naas raided Mr. Dunne's house. Four men escaped on the occasion, but four bicycles found on the premises were seized by the troops. I may mention that two members of this family are Irregulars, and were interned for a time. One was captured in arms.
In all the circumstances, it is not practicable to entertain a claim for compensation in respect of the bicycles, which cannot now be traced.