asked the Minister for Justice if he will state on what grounds the Sergeant of the Gárda Síochána at Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, seized a single-barrelled shot-gun, the property of Mr. Henry D. Leahy, Abbeyfeale, on the night of 7th October, said gun being Mr. Leahy's only means of protecting his crops from vermin, and for which Mr. Leahy was granted a firearms certificate on 1st September, 1927; if he is aware that the Sergeant gave Mr. Leahy one week in which to find a purchaser for the gun, failing which, it would be confiscated without compensation, and if so, if he will state his authority for doing so.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SEIZURE OF A GUN.
Mr. Leahy was granted on the 1st September, 1927, on payment of a licence duty of 5s. a limited firearm certificate authorising him to use a shot-gun for the killing of birds and animals other than game on his own lands. Mr. Leahy was frequently observed carrying the gun outside his own grounds, and on the night of the 7th October he was found some distance from his farm with the gun and 12 cartridges. As a limited certificate confines the holder to his own lands, the Superintendent, in exercise of his powers under the Firearms Act, 1925, revoked the certificate. The gun was seized by the police, and Mr. Leahy was informed that he could sell the gun to a suitable purchaser but no period of time was mentioned, nor was any mention made of forfeiture without compensation. Mr. Leahy sold the gun to a registered dealer. This was strictly in accordance with Section 6 of the Firearms Act, 1925. That section directs the Superintendent of police to retain the gun on revocation of a certificate until a suitable purchaser is found.