asked the Minister for Justice whether he proposes to dismiss David Tormey (Gárda Síochána), Killarney, in consequence of the judgment given against him by the Circuit Judge at Killarney, where he was found guilty of having without just cause struck Mr. J.M. Fleming, Toremore, Killarney, when Mr. Fleming's house was being searched for arms.

This case was considered by the then Minister for Justice last October. He decided that having regard to the fact that the Guard in question had already been punished by having to pay the damages and costs awarded in the Circuit Court, the case would be met from the disciplinary point of view by his transfer to another division and the suspension for three months of his promotion to the rank of sergeant, which he would have received at once but for this offence. In these circumstances I feel that I must regard the matter as having been adjudicated upon and disposed of before I took up office.