asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that the claim of Timothy Twomey, of Ballingeary, Co. Cork, for damage to his motor lorry while in possession of National Troops has been rejected on the ground that claimant assisted Irregulars; whether he is further aware that Twomey strongly denies the allegation and states he was forced to drive Irregulars, and further asks through his solicitor that the matter be investigated with a view to having the charges against him proved or refuted, and whether such an investigation will be arranged for.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DAMAGED MOTOR LORRY—BALLINGEARY CLAIM.
Mr. Twomey's claim has been rejected for the reason stated. Prior to the seizure of his car, he had been kept under observation as a person who was suspected of assisting the Irregulars. It was found that he was acting as an intelligence agent and despatch carrier for those forces, and was using the car in that connection. He was therefore arrested, but was released after a short time, when it was found that internment was affecting him mentally. His car was also necessarily taken into military custody. It was returned to him after an interval of three months. It is not practicable now to cause an investigation to be made into these circumstances. They, however, preclude the possibility of granting payment of any portion of the claim.