asked the President if his attention has been directed to a statement reported in the newspapers of 21/22 October last having been made by the Commissioner of the Gárda Síochána to the effect that there never was any danger of serious trouble or civil war in the Saorstát, and if the information in the possession of the Executive Council, derived from police reports, relating to the months of July, August, September and October last confirms or refutes the assurance that there never was any danger of serious trouble.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Police Commissioner's Statement.
I have seen a report of the statement referred to. It is quite true that there has been no actual danger of serious trouble or civil war in the Saorstát in recent months, because at no time did the Government have the slightest intention of allowing the Deputy's friends to develop their militarist conspiracy to the point where it would have seriously endangered the public peace. But the Government was and is convinced, from information contained in police reports, that the militarist activities of the Deputy's associates, if permitted to continue without restriction, would have led to serious trouble and ultimately to civil war. In fact, as the Deputy is well aware, in spite of restrictions, those activities have placed and are placing a very severe strain on the Gárda Síochána.