asked the Minister for Justice if members of the Garda Síochána are under instructions to tear down posters and literature posted up by political organisations or individuals; if he will state the authority for those instructions; and if he will ensure that, in the future, members of the Garda will not engage in the unauthorised and unlawful practice of tearing down or defacing such posters and literature.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Political Posters.
The Garda Síochána have not instructions to tear down posters or literature posted up by any political organisation or individual, but they were instructed recently to remove a poster which read "Arm now to take the North". I hope the Deputy will not question the propriety of removing that particular poster.
Do I take it from the Minister's reply that the action of the Gardaí in tearing down political posters—posters put up by political organisations—in those circumstances was completely unauthorised?
Yes, that is so.