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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 1929

Vol. 29 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Raids in Bandon District.

asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that it is stated that a member of the Detective Division of the Gárda Síochána stationed at Bandon, entered the house of Mr. Andrew O'Donovan, M.C.C., and Chairman of Fianna Fáil, Drimoleague, Co. Cork, on Easter Sunday, representing himself as Seán McGuinness, ex-T.D., and acting as chief organiser of the I.R.A.; that he asked the names of six local men to form a company of I.R.A., and also if Mr. O'Donovan would be prepared to receive a consignment of guns which he had at Cork; whether he is further aware that this man accompanied a party which raided this and other houses in the district next morning, and if he will state the authority for these actions, and whether he sanctions such methods on the part of the Detective Division.

A detective officer calling himself McGuinness and professing to be attached to a body which styles itself the I.R.A. visited the home of one Andrew O'Donovan on two occasions. These visits did not, however, take place on Easter Sunday, and the Deputy has been misinformed also as to the subject-matter of the conversations which took place. On the first occasion, namely, on Thursday, the 28th March, the detective officer was warmly welcomed by O'Donovan, who called into conference other prominent members of the so-called I.R.A. in the neighbourhood, including one of his own employees, divulged all the plans of the organisation, the names of their members and the quantity of firearms and ammunition at their disposal. The detective officer parted from these persons upon the best of terms and arranged for a second visit, upon the occasion of which it was promised to him that he would be brought round to inspect the firearms. He did call a second time, namely, on Saturday, the 30th March, and again was warmly welcomed, but unfortunately an insurance agent, brother of one of those previously interviewed, who knew the appearance of the detective officer, happened accidentally to call at O'Donovan's house, with the result that the detective officer was recognised and, needless to say, received no further information. Though this skilfully planned and very well executed ruse did not, therefore, as I am sure the Deputy will learn with regret, lead to the seizure of the arms in this locality, still it was productive of a great deal of most valuable information and must be regarded as a highly successful enterprise. The search of O'Donovan's house and other houses which subsequently ensued was conducted under warrant obtained under the authority of the Firearms Act, 1925.

Is the Minister aware that whoever submitted that statement to him was guilty of a deliberate misrepresentation and distortion of facts; further, is the Minister aware that not on two occasions, but something like seven times in the last two weeks O'Donovan's house and the other houses in the district have been raided, winding up with a raid last night; and is he aware that the activities of this gang of terrorists described as C.I.D. have extended to the Parish Priest of Caheragh, whose house and the Catholic Church——

That is a separate question.

Is the Minister satisfied that the question which I asked him has been answered—to wit, the latter portion—whether he sanctioned such methods on the part of the Detective Division?

I think that the detective officer did his work extremely well. I am perfectly satisfied that everything in this answer is completely accurate. I quite understand that the gentleman who found himself outwitted does not wish to own to Deputy Mullins that he was so completely outwitted. I think the detective was admirable.

Does not the Minister think that the detective who prides himself on being outwitted could have been outwitted on the first night, when this Detective Lavin was known? Is the Minister satisfied that this method of sending around the country agents-provocateur like this detective is a method that will conduce to peace and good order in the district?

This detective is not by any means an agent-provocateur. He is the very opposite. He is a man who stopped a great deal of crime being committed in the Deputy's constituency.

Does the Minister believe that personally?

Would the Minister be prepared to lay before the House the replies the detective received from Mr. Andrew O'Donovan, member of the Cork County Council and Chairman of Fianna Fáil, in reply to different queries presented to him by the detective as to the murder plot, the bank plot and the concealed arms dump which existed in that district? Would the Minister be prepared to give the peaceable residents of that district an assurance that everything possible will be done to bring these conspirators to justice at the first available opportunity?

Arising out of that, may I ask the Minister whether the detective received, in the nature of evidence, one iota of evidence to connect Mr. O'Donovan with crime, and, if so, why has not Mr. O'Donovan been arrested?

I will answer both questions together. The gentleman gave a very great deal of interesting information to the detective which I do not think it would be at the moment altogether wise to divulge. But that evidence is so valuable that I think Deputy J.T. Wolfe may take it for granted that the person and property of his constituents will be safe in the future.

From whom?

Next question.

I give notice that I will raise this matter on the adjournment this evening.

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