asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the circumstances surrounding the release of Mr. John O'Grady today and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Private Notice Questions. - Dublin Kidnapping.
asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the happy rescue of Mr. John O'Grady, he will give an assurance that every possible effort will now be made to apprehend the gang responsible for this kidnapping.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that early this afternoon two members of the Garda Síochána called to a house at Carnlough Road, Cabra, in pursuance of routine inquiries into the kidnapping of Mr. John O'Grady. When searching the house their suspicions were aroused and one went to the patrol car to radio for assistance. His colleague in the house was set upon by a number of men and received injuries, happily not serious ones. A shoot-out subsequently occurred during which one member of the force, Detective Garda Martin O'Connor, sustained bullet and shotgun wounds. As I understand it, he is being operated on even as I speak.
Two men who had been holding Mr. O'Grady hostage in the house managed to escape from the area in a hijacked car but not before they had shot at Mr. O'Grady wounding him in the hand. One of them is believed by the Garda to be wounded. A third man was arrested. The two men who escaped subsequently hijacked a second car in the Clondalkin area and a massive search is under way in an effort to locate it. The Air Corps have been called in to assist.
I ask the House to join with me in commending and congratulating the Garda Síochána for their excellent work today. The good news is, however, marred by the bitter knowledge that one member of the force has sustained what are apparently serious injuries and a second was also injured.
I will conclude by adding that the Garda are following a very definite line of inquiry in their search for the kidnappers of Mr. O'Grady.
I would like to join with the Minister in saying how pleased we are on this side of the House that Mr. O'Grady is reunited with his family after such a traumatic experience. We congratulate the Garda Síochána for seeking his safe release and we sincerely hope that the member of the Garda Síochána who was injured in the incident will recover fully. He has our prayers. We ask for the support of the community at large in helping the Garda to seek our those who were responsible for this atrocity. I wish to ask the Minister if he was aware that ransom was being paid in this case and, if so, what was his attitude? Perhaps he might also inform us, if he was so aware, if he informed members of his Government and did they agree with the payment of ransom?
There is no question whatsoever of any ransom being paid nor was there any decision by the Government that a ransom should be paid.
All of us in this House, and all right-minded people, join with the Minister in saying how pleased we are that Mr. O'Grady is back with his family after his dreadful ordeal. The cowardly attack on Detective Garda O'Connor reinforces what I said last week, that these gardaí were endangering their lives by being so bravely involved in this kidnap rescue attempt. Does the Minister agree that it would be wrong if criminal proceedings are not brought against all those who co-operated with this gang by allowing their premises to be used by them?
The Garda are at present involved in trying to trace and arrest those who were involved in the kidnapping. As soon as these matters have been tidied up, the question of prosecutions will be decided upon by the Garda and by the law officers.
There is some concern in relation to ransom and I wish to give the Minister an opportunity of clarifying some of what has been said in that regard. Was a decision taken, as a result of his intervention, that the Garda should prevent the payment of a ransom in this case and, if so, what steps were taken?
It always has been the policy of the Garda Síochána and of this Government, past Governments and, I hope, Governments to come that no ransom would be paid in any kidnapping case.
I also join with the remarks and sentiments conveyed by the Minister and the other Deputies in wishing Mr. O'Grady and his family well, in congratulating the Garda Síochána for the excellent and very brave work they have undertaken and to specifically convey to Detective Garda O'Connor my personal best wishes. He is an officer whom I have known for many years in the force and who has in the past shown particular bravery in the course of his duties and I hope he makes a quick and good recovery. In view of the belief held in respect of previous kidnapping events, I ask the Minister if he is absolutely certain that on this occasion no moneys passed to the perpetrators of this vicious crime? Will he indicate to the House his view on the use of intermediaries for the purposes of conveying moneys or attempting to convey moneys to such perpetrators?
In this instance I am more than satisfied that no money was paid. There was no question of any ransom being paid.
The question of intermediaries is important because reports seem to indicate that a member of the clergy assisted on this occasion. It is a matter of concern that should be clarified, that members of the public no matter what their position should ever offer assistance in this type of incident.
In joining with the sentiments expresed by my colleagues on this side of the House, I wish to ask the Minister, if he will have a full and detailed inquiry made into the totality of the circumstances surrounding this kidnapping, with particular reference to the involvement of certain individuals in the alleged arrangements for the transfer of ransom moneys and if in due course he will make available to the House the outcome of that investigation.
I am sure that in line with all important matters such as this the Garda will in due course let me have a full and detailed report of everything that happened and at that stage I will decide whether it is necessary to take any action or to make any statement arising from it.
Can the Minister say if the Garda were aware that attempts were being made to pay a ransom in this case and, if so, what steps were being taken by them to prevent the payment of such moneys?
I cannot say what the Garda were or were not aware of. The Garda are in no doubt whatsoever as to the attitude of this Government and past Governments with regard to the payment of ransom.