asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that the houses of two employees of the Great Southern and Western Railway at Dungarvan were searched by the Gárda Síochána on November 24th, 1924, in connection with the larceny of goods from the railway station, and that these men, and railwaymen generally, feel keenly the fact that they are under suspicion, and if he will state the reasons for the searching of these men's homes.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SEARCHING OF RAILWAY EMPLOYEES' HOUSES.
It is a fact that the goods store and the parcel office at Dungarvan Railway Station were feloniously entered on the night of the 19th November, 1924, and a very considerable quantity of property taken away. The surrounding circumstances point to the fact that the outrage was committed by persons who had a thorough knowledge of the premises. In the course of their investigations the police thought it prudent to search the houses of two railway employees, and they obtained the necessary search warrants which the law provides for such purposes. The houses were duly searched, but nothing incriminating was found. I merely state these facts for the Deputy's information, and I am unable to see that there is anything which calls for special comment. The Deputy, I hope, does not consider it proper to raise a question about every police act lawfully done in the course of their duty in the detection of crime.
Is the Minister aware that searches have been made in similar circumstances by members of the Gárda Síochána and the D.M.P., as a matter of fact, without the necessary warrants, and will he take steps to convey to the members of these forces the desirability of securing the necessary warrant before searching any individual's house?
There is more than a desirability; there is a legal obligation to that effect, and I am prepared to take up with the police headquarters any specific case of breach of that brought under my notice.