asked the Minster for Justice if he has investigated the reports of the alleged incident outside Leinster House, especially in view of the conflicting accounts on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leinster House Incident.
45.
The Garda investigations show that nobody claims to have seen any person firing shots. The garda who was on duty at Leinster House on the occasion was reported as having told a journalist that he saw a man in a motor-car actually firing shots. The garda concerned denies that he ever made such a statement and states he witnessed no such incident though he did think the sounds were shots.
Of the many people who heard the sounds, some thought they were rifle or revolver shots. Others, including people with long Army experience, were satisfied that they were not shots. However, when the reports of the incident appeared in the newspapers, a number of eye-witnesses got in touch with the Garda to testify that they not only saw the car in question but saw the actual flashes and smoke from the exhaust as it repeatedly backfired. These were reliable witnesses whose statements put the matter beyond all shadow of doubt and I would like, on behalf of the Garda Síochána, to thank them publicly for the valuable help they have given to refute a story that could have caused needless alarm.