asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that some of the batons used by the Gardaí in the disturbance in Dublin city centre on 24th April were marked DMP; and, if so, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Batons.
31.
The title Dublin Metropolitan Police or DMP was in use up to 1925. It is used in the Dublin Police Act, 1924, for example. Accordingly, even if a baton with that inscription was used, the efforts of illegal organisations to make some debating point about it would fail.
It so happens, however, that no such baton was used, all of them having long since been changed for a different type. I would seriously suggest to the Deputy that he should treat with more reserve the kind of anti-Garda propaganda that these people are constantly trying to spread.
Such a baton was actually used. I would ask the Minister to look into this again.
I have looked into it.
There was actually a baton used of the type used in 1913.
That is completely untrue and without foundation.
Is the Minister aware that one used by the Gardaí is at present with a solicitor?
We will await the outcome of that.
It was employed specially for the occasion?
What the Deputy suggests here is completely without foundation. These particular batons have long since gone out of use. What was used on the occasion was the ordinary use of force by the Gardaí necessary to maintain law and order and to prevent military processions passing through the centre of Dublin.
Would the Minister like to see the particular baton?
I have investigated the matter fully.
Could the Minister define the form of what he describes as a military procession?
Next question.
The Minister need not be so arrogant and impudent about it. A Deputy is entitled to ask these questions without being accused by anybody of making propaganda.