HC Deb 05 May 1884 vol 287 cc1300-1
MR. SEXTON (for Mr. HEALY)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is the fact that, on Mr. Francis M'Kenna, of Annagap, county Monaghan, complaining to the Inspector General of Constabulary that he had been threatened by the police sergeant at Castleshane that, if he interfered in public meetings or took part in politics, he would have his gun licence revoked, he received the following reply:—

"Dublin Castle, 4th April, 1884.

"Francis M'Kenna is informed, with reference to his letter of the 31st ult., that, if he considers the sergeant exceeded his duty in the matter referred to, he should bring the case before the Magistrates at Petty Sessions."

(Signed) R. F. N. FANNING,

"Deputy Inspector General."

Do the Government approve of this method of dealing with such a charge; is it the fact that no inquiry whatever was made to discover whether it was correct, or not; will he ascertain from Mr. Fanning under what Statute the "Magistrates at Petty Sessions" have power to deal with such a complaint; is he aware that Mr. M'Kenna's statement can be corroborated by four witnesses, in whose presence the threat was made; and, do the Government propose to deal with the case?

MR. TREVELYAN

It is the fact that Francis M'Kenna made to the Inspector General the complaint mentioned in the Question, and that he received the reply referred to. Before the letter had been written, inquiry had been made into the matter, with the result that the Inspector General was informed that the complaint of Mr. M'Kenna was not well-founded, and the police sergeant denies having made any such statement as is imputed to him. The Statute referred to by Mr. Fanning is the 6 & 7 Will. IV. c. 13. I am not aware that Mr. M'Kenna's statement can be corroborated by four witnesses, and the letter of Mr. M'Kenna treats the communication from the constable as a private one. The Government do not intend to take any further action.