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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 May 1934

Vol. 52 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Discharge of Army Reservist.

asked the Minister for Defence whether he will state the period of service given (a) in the Army and (b) in the Army reserve by Private Timothy Kenny, of Knockane, Newcastle West, Number 35600; his character in the Army; and the date upon which he would normally be due for discharge from the reserve; and whether he will state if he is aware that Mr. Kenny was discharged from the reserve on the 11th April, 1934, and if he will state the reasons for such discharge and the reasons why he has received no reserve pay since the 22nd December, 1933.

Private Kenny had seven years 36 days Army and four years 138 days reserve service. His character in the Army was "Very Good." His engagement would normally terminate on the 24th November, 1938. He was discharged on the 11th April, 1934, for the reason that his services were no longer required. All reserve pay due has been forwarded to him.

Will the Minister say if a man with seven years' service in the Army, four years' service in the reserve—character "Very Good"— and with four years' service in the reserve to go, has been discharged from the reserve and given no reason, good, bad or indifferent?

He was given a reason.

Was he given any other reason than that his services were no longer required by the Minister?

That, as I told the Deputy, is a very good reason. It was the reason for which the Deputy was kicked out of the Cabinet a few years ago.

Is the Minister then in this position with regard to the Army: that men can serve for seven years in the Army and four years in the reserve, have a very good character, have four more years to go ordinarily and may then be kicked out of it? Will the Minister say if this action was taken by the military authorities as a result of his personal intervention?

Private Kenny was discharged in the regular way. After inquiries were made as to whether his services were required, it was found his services were no longer required, and he was discharged under the regulations, under the law.

Will the Minister inform the House if the inquiries as to whether his services were any longer required were initiated by the military authorities or by the local Fianna Fáil club?

The matter was inquired into in a regular manner.

By the local Fianna Fáil club?

Under the Army Act.

Will the Minister say whether the initiative requiring an investigation into this matter in a regular way was taken by the military authorities or by the local Fianna Fáil club?

The inquiry was made in a regular way.

By the local Fianna Fáil club?

By the Defence Department.

By the Defence Department of the local Fianna Fáil club?

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