asked the Minister for Justice when it is proposed to restore the cash and goods stolen from the premises of Mr. Michael Beirne, Suffolk Street, Kells, County Meath, several years ago, which are still in the possession of the Garda authorities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Return of Stolen Property.
95.
There were several charges against the accused person, involving loss to several persons, and the property found on the accused is less than the total involved in the charges.
Contrary to earlier expectations, the accused person is still in a mental hospital and in the circumstances the Attorney General decided not to proceed with the charges.
I have now arranged that the Garda Síochána should seek the directions of the Attorney General as to the disposal of the property and I shall inform the Deputy as soon as possible of the result.
I am sure the Minister will agree that it is most unreasonable that a quantity of material and some money taken from different people several years ago should have been retained by the Garda, even though they were asked to return it, just because somebody had been sent to a mental home?
I agree with the Deputy but there was an administrative hiatus.
That is the understatement of the year.