asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the number of uniformed and plain clothes officers and members of the Garda on duty in O'Connell Street and vicinity on the night of 6th April and also whether the Garda authorities are in a position to furnish him with any evidence which would help to identify the persons responsible for the damage done to property on that occasion.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - O'Connell Street Incident.
There were one chief superintendent, three superintendents, two inspectors, five sergeants and 73 uniformed and plain clothes Gardaí on duty in O'Connell Street, Dublin, and its vicinity on the night of 6th April. A number of persons have been remanded on bail in connection with offences committed on the occasion in question and in the circumstances I think it would not be proper for me to make any comment in regard to the second part of the question.
From the information at the disposal of the Minister, can he now state positively that the meeting itself was an orderly meeting, consisting of decent law-abiding citizens, tens of thousands of them, and that whatever occurred occurred long after the meeting concluded?
That seems to be a separate question.
But the Minister appeared to take a personal interest in the matter when a colleague sitting beside him last week made unfounded charges.
Mr. Boland
What I objected to was the statement that the Guards beat a boy. They did not do so.
It was more orderly than the last meeting addressed by Deputy Davin.
Go down there and ask the people what they think of you.
They are not allowing Deputy Kennedy in to-day.