asked the Minister for Justice if he will state how long more it is proposed to keep men interned without trial at the Curragh internment camp.
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Curragh Internees.
No one will be kept in detention any longer than appears to me to be necessary to restrain him from engaging in activities which are prejudicial to the preservation of public peace and order. As the Deputy is aware, any of the persons concerned can secure his release at any time by giving an undertaking to respect the Constitution and the laws.
Would the Minister consider granting an amnesty for Christmas, as has been done by the British?
For the Referendum.
That is a separate question.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the number of persons arrested and detained (as distinct from interned) under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, in 1956, 1957, and the first nine months of 1958.
The figures are:—
|
1956 |
13 |
|
1957 |
116 |
|
1958 (first nine months) |
63 |
These figures do not include those arrested and subsequently charged of whom particulars are given in reply to Question No. 9.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the number of persons (a) charged, (b) convicted and (c) acquitted of offences under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, in 1956, 1957, and the first nine months of 1958.
In 1956, seven persons were charged. The proceedings were not completed until 1957 when all seven were convicted.
In 1957, 122 persons were charged, 109 were convicted (in addition to the seven charged in 1956) and 13 were acquitted.
In the first nine months of 1958, 15 were charged and convicted.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the total number of persons who have been interned under the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1940, since 1957, and in reference to such persons the number who (a) were interned immediately following upon the completion of a sentence imposed by a court, (b) were released upon medical grounds, (c) were released upon signing an undertaking, (d) were released unconditionally (exclusive of those released on medical grounds) and (e) are at present detained.
The total number of persons who have been detained under the powers conferred by the 1940 Act is 204. Of these 74 were placed in detention on the termination of sentences of imprisonment. The number now in detention is 141.
For further information, I would refer the Deputy to the particulars furnished to the House in accordance with the provisions of Section 9 of the Act, to which I am not prepared to add.
Does the Minister not agree that no violence was used in the country towards any citizen of the Twenty-Six Counties? What are the offences? No violence has been used.