HC Deb 25 May 1882 vol 269 cc1591-2
MR. HEALY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the fact that on the 6th of January Sub-Constable Keppel arrested a man named Dempsey at Gorey, county Wexford, on a charge of drunkenness; whether, on being brought to the lockup, it was ascertained that the prisoner was sober, and that the constable was drunk; whether the prisoner was then discharged; whether Dempsey was subsequently about to take proceedings against the sub-constable, but, owing to an arrangement, left the Country for America; if he can state by whom the man's leaving the country was promoted; if the sub-constable has in any way been punished for his conduct on the occasion; and, whether it is in the power of a policeman to arrest a man, and subsequently discharge him, without his being summoned?

MR. TREVELYAN

Yes, Sir; it is the case that on the 6th of January Sub-Constable Keppel arrested a man named Dempsey, at Gorey, on a charge of drunkenness. On being brought to the barrack it was found that the prisoner was sober and the sub-constable was drunk. The sub-Inspector was sent for and immediately ordered the prisoner's discharge. I believe Dempsey did intend to take proceedings against the sub-constable; but they never came to anything. He was returned for trial at the last Wexford Assizes on a charge of intimidation. He pleaded guilty to the charge; but the Crown accepted his voluntary offer to leave the country if discharged, and he was discharged without sentence. His leaving the country had no connection with the case of the sub-constable. The sub-constable was fined £1 for drunkenness on the occasion. He was leniently dealt with owing to the fact of his having been of good character and free from unfavourable records for 10 years. I think the Sub-Inspector took a very proper responsibility upon himself in at once ordering Dempsey to be discharged, seeing that he had been guilty of nothing for which he could have been summoned.

MR. HEALY

asked, was the sub-constable to be allowed in future to preserve the peace in the streets of Gorey when he himself, to the knowledge of all the inhabitants, had broken it?

MR. TREVELYAN

said, he presumed what was done was in accordance with the general regulations and discipline of the force.