asked the Minister for Defence if he will state why Thomas Crawley, Ballyfarnon, Boyle, County Roscommon (File Reference Nos. 34/S.P.40821 and 38502/E.2) was refused an I.R.A. pension in view of the fact that he joined that body in April, 1918, and had service in major and minor engagements until June, 1923; whether in view of this refusal any action has been taken or is contemplated under Section 19 of the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, in respect of the affidavits which supported his claim; and, finally, whether steps will be taken, if necessary, by introducing proposals for legislation, to ensure that refusals in this and similar cases are reviewed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - I.R.A. Pension Applicant.
Thomas Crawley, Ballyfarnon, Boyle, County Roscommon, was refused a pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, because the referee reported that he is not a person to whom the Act applies.
Mr. Crawley appealed against the findings of the referee in 1944 and again in 1945, but the evidence submitted by him in support of the appeals was not additional evidence which was not available prior to the making of the referee's report. The appeals were, accordingly, refused. The question of amending the Military Service Pensions Acts is at present under consideration and in the event of legislation being enacted to permit of the review of cases such as his, Mr. Crawley will be afforded an opportunity of applying to have his claim reopened.