Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1982

Vol. 336 No. 5

Written Answers. - Removal of TV Set.

994.

asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that a television set was removed by a detective garda sergeant from the home of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 over a year ago and that following representations by Deputy Gay Mitchell the Garda Commissioner indicated by letter dated 19 May 1982 that the set had been returned by the garda concerned; if, in view of the serious infringement of the rights of the person concerned, the treatment meted out to her when she called to the local Garda Station and the fact that the set has not yet been returned, he will take special action to ensure that the set is returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the televison set was returned to the person in question on 11 June 1982. The set was seized for identification purposes by the Garda on 30 January 1981 during a search of the person's house, conducted pursuant to a search warrant. The Garda had received information alleging that there was a stolen television in the house. The occupant claimed to have purchased the set from an unknown man in a public house for £100. Having regard to what they regarded as the suspicious circumstances surrounding the purchase of the set, the Garda were anxious to trace its origin and the identity of the seller. Numerous inquiries were made for that purpose but without success.

Following an approach by the Deputy to the Commissioner's Office in May 1982, the detective sergeant concerned signified his intention to return the set on 14 May 1982 and the Commissioner's letter of 19 May 1982 issued on the mistaken assumption that the member had in fact carried out his stated intention. The Commissioner has expressed his regret that the Deputy should have been misinformed in the matter. The member has explained that he called to the house on 14 May 1982 but got no reply and overlooked informing his authorities of the non-return of the set. The member has further explained that, because of other more pressing duties, he did not get an opportunity until recent days to return the set.

The Garda authorities state that the Garda at Tallaght station have no precise recollection of the person having called to the station but the authorities have no reason to believe that she was shown any discourtesy.

Barr
Roinn