asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that it is alleged that, on the 2nd November, 1927, four men who stated they were members of the C.I.D. went to the home of Mr. John McLoughlin, of Corlisheen, Drumsna, Co. Leitrim, searched the dwellinghouse, and from an out-office emptied about 30 crates of turf, and scattered them about the yard; that the turf was rendered useless by being thrown out in the rain; and whether it is intended to compensate Mr. McLoughlin for the destruction of his property.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SEARCHING OF LEITRIM DWELLINGHOUSE.
The Gárda Síochána received in October last information, which they believed to be reliable, that a dump of arms was concealed in the vicinity of the house of Mr. John McLoughlin, of Corlisheen, Drumsna, Co. Leitrim. A Search Order under the Firearms Act, 1925, was obtained which authorised the search of the premises. As the arms were believed to be concealed in a stack of turf in a shed at the rere of the house, it was necessary to turn the turf over. To do this some of the turf had to be put outside the shed. The search occupied between three and four hours, and as darkness was falling when the search was completed, it was not practicable to replace all the turf. No material damage was caused by the police, and I cannot undertake to consider any claim for compensation by Mr. McLoughlin.