MR. O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the suspension of Sub-constable Clifford, of Loughill, has been removed; and, if so, whether the charge against Constable Egan, of supplying to a man named Fitzgerald the police ammunition discovered by Sub - constable Clifford near Fitzgerald's house, will remain uninvestigated?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the suspension of Sub-Constable Clifford has been removed. I have already explained that the main ground of his suspension had reference to his detaining some articles of value which had been lent to him. No charge has been preferred against Constable Egan of having supplied police ammunition to Fitzgerald; and his officers have stated, in the most positive 1841 manner, that they know of no ground for such an allegation. If the hon. Member is in possession of any information leading to a different conclusion, and will furnish it to me, with his authority for it, I will investigate it. At present, as I stated in reply to a former Question, I see no ground for inquiry.
MR. O'BRIENIs it not the fact that ammunition was found—to some extent primâ facie evidence that Constable Egan was surreptitiously supplying the Emergency men with ammunition; and is that state of facts to be dismissed, merely because the officer who was responsible for the original statement, that there was no foundation for the allegation, now confirms that statement?
[No reply.]