MR. O'CONNOR POWERasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, If he will explain to the House the circum- 660 stances attending the recent affray between the people and the police at Ballina, county Mayo, in which several young children were dangerously wounded while forming part of a children's band engaged in playing through the streets; and, whether, having in view the previous imprudent conduct of Sub-Inspector Ball in making a needless search for arms in the houses of several of the most respectable and peaceable inhabitants of Ballina, together with his recent conduct in directing the police to fire upon the children's band of that town, the Government will now consider the advisability of ordering his removal from a district remarkable for the usual good order and tranquillity of its inhabitants?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)Sir, I am informed that Sub-Inspector Ball has been relieved from duty for the present, and has been granted leave of absence; and, under the circumstances, I must request the House and the hon. and learned Member for Mayo to permit me, in the public interest, to decline, at the present moment, giving any further answer to the Question.