asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that Charles Hourican, Rathmore, Aughnacliff, County Longford, surrendered his sporting gun to the I.R.A. in 1918, and that two of these men, one who is at present an officer of the National Army, and the other an ex-officer of the I.R.A., are prepared to give testimony on oath that such is the case; that Charles Hourican has been refused compensation on the grounds that his application was received too late, and whether the Minister will take into consideration the fact that this man lives in a backward part of the country, does not see the papers regularly, and grant him compensation for the loss of his gun.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - LOSS OF A GUN.
Charles Hourican lodged a claim with my Department under the Indemnity Act, 1924, in respect of a gun stated to have been handed over to Volunteers in 1918. The Act provides that only claims lodged before the 1st November, 1924, could be considered; Mr. Hourican's claim was received on the 15th March, 1926, and it was, therefore, impossible, having regard to the terms of the Act, to entertain it. Moreover, the Act provides for payment of compensation only in respect of losses sustained in the period from the 21st January, 1919, to the 28th June, 1922. In these circumstances, I regret that I have no power to authorise the payment of any compensation in this case.
I wonder if he was a British loyal subject would the Minister be prepared to compensate him for the loss?
No.