asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will state the Government's attitude to the incursion by a British Army helicopter at Drumneill, County Monaghan, on 9th June, 1974, and the unlawful assault on a member (name supplied) of the Clontibret and District Gun Club.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Army Border Infringements.
24.
The Government takes a serious view of incursions into the State by British aircraft and personnel and is particularly concerned at the behaviour of the British Army personnel involved in this case. The incident in question has been the subject of representations to the British authorities who have now formally expressed regret for the incursion and for the way the incident was handled. I am continuing to pursue with them the question of recovery of all property which was taken from Mr. Murray by the British Army personnel.
Has the Minister got as assurance that this type of thing will not continue? It has happened on a number of occasions and it is time that an assurance was given that it will not continue.
I do not think that in matters of this kind assurances would necessarily be of great value because different units are involved in different cases and different circumstances arise. I would doubt the value of such an assurance. The important thing is that when these instances happen we would take vigorous action in relation to them.
Is the Minister aware of the deep concern of many members of that gun club and people generally along the Border about these instances?
Certainly I am aware of the very serious problems of people living along the Border who are at risk both from this type of incidents which have occurred and from the problem of the presence of members of illegal organisations. There is a very real problem. The intensive patrolling of Border areas now being undertaken helps to minimise both kinds of incidents.
Is there any possibility that the aggrieved person could take legal action against the aggressors in this case?
I should not like to answer that without legal advice. I am not sure what success he might have. The immediate thing to do in this instance is to make sure he gets his property back.
Question No. 25.
At least we should seek the return of this cash. What reply would the Minister make to that?
No reason has been given for that. We are still pursuing the matter of the money which was taken.
Would the Minister consider it robbery as well as assault?
I think that is a reasonable statement——
The Chair should be obeyed.
——taking money from people by force of arms, yes.
Question No. 25.
May we take it that on this occasion they were not invited in by the Government?
Sorry, I have called the next question, No. 25.
The Deputy may take it that this is so. When permission is given for a helicopter to overfly but not to land it is of a limited character, always with a view to the safety of life.
It should never happen. We have our own service.
I have called Question No. 25 several times.
Where the saving of life is involved we are entitled to take special action.
Why cannot our own Defence Forces carry out the work?
Have the Garda taken any steps——
We must move on from this question. I have called Question No. 25.
The main problem at the moment is to get back the money and that is what we are concentrating on at this stage.
Have any charges been brought?
I am not aware of any charges.
Arising out of the Minister's reply——
The Chair must be obeyed at some stage. I have called the next question.