asked the Minister for Justice whether his attention has been called to Press reports attributing certain remarks to the district justice sitting in the Metropolitan Children's Court on 2nd November, 1945, and also to an officer of the Detective Branch of the Gárda Síochána, which seriously reflect on the residents of Crumlin and on messenger boys employed in that area; whether he has caused inquiries to be made to ascertain whether, in fact, such remarks were made, and if they were whether he will consider indicating that they ought not to have been made and that members of the judiciary and Gárda Síochána should refrain from making remarks which cast reflections on residents in a particular area, or on persons earning their livelihood in a particular vocation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Crumlin Residents: Court Comments.
Mr. Boland
I have made inquiries into this matter, and I am informed that the remarks to which the Deputy refers were made with reference to the associates of a messenger boy who appeared before the Children's Court on charges of larceny from his employer. There appears to be some doubt as to whether the remarks were quite accurately reported in the Press, and the Deputy will, no doubt, appreciate that remarks taken out of their context frequently give a different impression from that which they are intended to give.
I agree, of course, that it is undesirable that remarks should be made in court reflecting on residents in a particular area or on persons earning their livelihood in a particular vocation.
I have been associated with many of these boys for many years and I have found them to be among the best boys in Dublin and I am very proud of them.
The Deputy must ask a supplementary question.
The Deputy hopes he will be getting their votes in about five or six years' time.