asked the Minister for Justice if Mr. Maurice Crowe, Glenbane, Lattin, Fianna Fáil Organiser for County Tipperary, was arrested and searched in Tipperary Town on December 13th, 1929; if correspondence in his possession relating to the Fianna Fáil Organisation was taken and read; if he was asked to give a list of subscribers to Fianna Fáil Funds; and, if so, why; if Mr. Crowe is being continuously followed and annoyed by detective officers, and if the Minister will give instructions for these activities to cease.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arrest of Political Organiser.
On the 13th December last Mr. Maurice Crowe of Glenbane, Lattin, was arrested in Tipperary town by a member of the Gárda Síochana who believed that Mr. Crowe was in possession of firearms. Mr. Crowe was asked to come to the Police Barracks where he was searched. During the course of the search a list of names was noticed to be in Mr. Crowe's possession. He was asked what was the purpose of the list and he replied that it contained the names of subscribers to the Fianna Fáil collection. On receipt of this reply, he was asked no further questions regarding the list of names. Mr. Crowe is not being continuously followed and annoyed by detective officers.
What steps is the Minister going to take to stop this work, or is it going to be allowed to be carried on? Does the Minister mean to tell us that the C.I.D. men did not know what Mr. Crowe's position was in the Fianna Fáil movement? I say it is a scandal and a disgrace if this class of work is allowed to be carried on.
I have already informed the Deputy that this gentleman was searched for firearms.
He was searched because they knew who he was and what he was.
As soon as he explained what the list was, there was no further inquiry made from him in reference to it.
Does the Minister seriously pretend that the Superintendent of the Gárda Síochana did not know Mr. Crowe's position in the Fianna Fáil organisation in Tipperary?
Does Deputy Lemass seriously contend that Fianna Fáil has never been a mask to cover other activities?
Is the Minister aware that Mr. Crowe on arrest was made produce all the documents in his possession relating to the Fianna Fáil organisation, which documents were read carefully by the Superintendent? I again ask the Minister is he going to stop the use of the police force for the purpose of political espionage on behalf of Cumann na nGaedheal?
There is no political espionage on behalf of Cumann na nGaedheal. These men, as the Deputy knows perfectly well, are searched not for Fianna Fáil documents, but for treasonable documents. As long as the Fianna Fáil Party remains as it is now I take it it is not a seditious association.
Will the Minister state when a man is searched for arms why it is necessary to read the documents that he has in his possession?
If a man is searched for arms and he is seen to have documents in his possession which look of a doubtful nature, naturally they are investigated.
Is the Minister aware that this force constantly use the pretext of the Firearms Act for carrying out searches of premises and papers? Is he going to allow that in future? The Firearms Act I think deals only with searches for firearms.
The answer is in the negative.