asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that the house of Mr. Michael O'Callaghan, of Marina Street, Bantry, Co. Cork, was raided and searched by a party of the Gárda Síochána on Monday, November 5th, and that the Town Commissioners of Bantry, at their meeting on that night, unanimously protested against this provocative action as not being conducive to the peace of the district, and whether he will state the reasons and authority for this action.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - A BANTRY SEARCH.
I am aware that the house in which Mr. Michael O'Callaghan of Marina Street, Bantry, resides was searched by a party of police on Monday, 5th instant. I am also aware that the Town Commissioners of Bantry at their meeting on that night passed a resolution protesting against the search of the house of Mr. John O'Callaghan, Town Clerk. In fact the house of Mr. John O'Callaghan, Town Clerk, was not searched as such. The house was searched because of information received in reference to Mr. John O'Callaghan's son, Michael O'Callaghan. The search was conducted under the authority of a warrant to search for firearms.
Is the Minister aware that the ostensible reason given for searching the house is because of Mr. Michael O'Callaghan? Is the Minister aware that Mr. Michael O'Callaghan has been here in Dublin for the past four months and that when the raid occurred the only people at home were his father and mother, both of whom are over seventy years of age, and a sister who is ill? Does he think that that sort of thing is going to make the police force respected and that it is conducive to better feeling in this country?
I have no personal knowledge as to the movements of Mr. Michael O'Callaghan. I take it for granted that this gentleman does visit the house and that the Guards searched for him there.
Will the Minister state whether in this case, as in the case raised by Deputy Lemass, the search was for firearms?
Yes. If the Deputy had listened to my answer he would have been aware of that fact, without a supplementary question.
It might interest the Minister to know that Mr. Michael O'Callaghan is actually engaged working very arduously in the study of law for the past six months?
I suppose even in County Cork people can study law in their leisure hours.