asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that Volunteer William Donohoe, Umeras, Monasterevan, Co. Kildare, Army No. 43330, was discharged from the National Army, medically unfit, on the 28th April, 1924; whether he was taken off guard on the Curragh Camp by Captain Smart on the 26th October, 1923, to play in a football match, Gough versus Keane Barracks; whether he received an injury to his knee on that date and had to be carried off the field of play, and was detained in hospital until the 4th February, 1924, and was excused from all duty until he was discharged; whether on his discharge he received only fourteen days' ration money at 2/- per day, and whether, as Donohoe is unfit and unable to work, he will consider the question of granting a pension or gratuity in this case.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SOLDIER'S DISABLEMENT.
I am aware that the Volunteer in question, whose name is known to me as William Donaher, was discharged from the Army medically unfit on the 28th April, 1924, owing to a disability of the left knee. He was granted the usual demobilisation benefit in the form of 28 days' furlough with pay, together with ration and dependents' allowances. I am not aware of the circumstances under which Mr. Donaher acquired the disability mentioned, and I do not appear to have received any claim from him in connection with it. In any case, I regret that I am not at present in a position to consider one, inasmuch as the date of the alleged accident is subsequent to the date of the termination of the period of military service to which the Army Pensions Act, 1923, applies.