Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 1

Written Answers. - House Search Incident.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

158 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the serious upset and anxiety caused to two old age pensioners (details supplied) in County Limerick due to a search carried out to their house; if he will have arrangements made for a senior member of the Garda Síochána to deal with them and to explain that they are not under suspicion of any wrongdoing; and if he will outline the circumstances which gave rise to this house search.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Flynn)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the search of a farm owned by the persons in question was carried out in accordance with the law and was duly authorised by a warrant issued under section 29 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939. It has never been the practice for Ministers for Justice to disclose the specific information available to the Garda which causes a warrant to be issued in a particular instance.

I am also informed that the reason for the search was explained in general terms to the owners of the farm. However, searches such as this can be a cause of distress, particularly to elderly persons, and for that reason a senior Garda officer will call to the persons in question to reassure them that they are not suspected of any wrongdoing.